Trump should forget about the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant — perhaps some peace results can be achieved that way.

The Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and the Kakhovka Dam could shatter America's peace plan.

Author: Irina Mishina

Article Commentators:

Alexander Uvarov Igor Yushkov Oleg Tsyarev

The draft peace agreement submitted by the United States to its European partners for ending the conflict in Ukraine does not only involve territorial and military aspects. One of the controversial issues is the control over the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and the Kakhovka Dam.

According to the U.S. plan, it is envisaged to transfer control of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine and place it under external American management. The document states: "Ukraine regains control of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant through U.S. management and administrative control. At that time, electricity will be distributed to both sides." The text of the document reads as follows. Additionally, according to the U.S. peace plan, Ukraine will gain control of the Kakhovka Dam.

This clause of the peace agreement has already sparked a strong reaction from the Russian Foreign Ministry. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told CBS News in an interview: "Russia has not received any proposals from the U.S. regarding the transfer of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, and any change in control is impossible. The Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is operated by Rosatom, a state company of the Russian Federation, and is under the constant supervision of personnel from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)." Russian Foreign Minister explained.

The issue of control over the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and the Kakhovka Dam is directly related to the determination of territorial and border issues through negotiations. However, before direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine begin, it is necessary to clarify priorities.

Now, what are the possible solutions regarding the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, and why is the U.S. focusing on it? To answer this question, we interviewed nuclear energy expert, head of the "Nuclear Information Center," and editor-in-chief of Atominfo website Alexander Uvarov.

"First of all, you must understand: the safety of the nuclear power plant is the responsibility of the operator and operator - Rosenergoatom, which holds relevant licenses and experience. Moreover, the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is located on the territory of Enerhodar, which is Russian territory.

If, for some reason, the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is returned to Ukraine, then its operation and safety will be the responsibility of Ukraine's energy companies. And if the U.S. controls this nuclear power plant, then an American company must enter Russian territory and operate there under American law. But that's absurd."

"Free Media (SP)": The nuclear power plant first concerns safety. And it's not just the safety of the nuclear power plant itself, but also the safety of its surrounding territories. Does this mean, despite sounding contradictory, that if the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is controlled by the U.S., then this territory would become U.S. territory?

"Enerhodar is located on Russian territory, and I don't understand how the U.S. and Ukraine want to enter there with what kind of relationship or identity. After all, the approximately 30-kilometer area around the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is controlled by Russian state institutions and security agencies."

Currently, the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is controlled by Rosenergoatom. The Russian National Guard and Federal Security Service ensure the security of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, as this facility is considered strategic. Special forces also secure the surrounding territory of the nuclear power plant. In the event of an accident, the operator bears all responsibilities. The operator is also responsible for organizing evacuations and ensuring people's lives.

If the U.S. demands control of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, this automatically means that U.S. troops will have to enter this territory to protect the nuclear power plant, effectively establishing a military base. Does the FBI want to control Russian territory? In my view, all of this seems like a joke made by the U.S. president.

"Free Media": Since the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant occupies a place in the peace plan and the U.S. has made demands on it, this issue will certainly be brought up during negotiations. What do you think are the possible solutions?

"The U.S. can participate in the sale of electricity from the nuclear power plant. We can share the profits from the sale of electricity, which is actually a solution.

Alexander Uvarov, head of the "Nuclear Information Center," believes that this approach can achieve mutual benefits while ensuring reliable control over the safety of the nuclear power plant.

The U.S. and Ukraine's demands on the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant are understandable. The Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is the largest in Europe and the ninth largest in the world. It is located on the south bank of the Kakhovka Reservoir in the Zaporizhia region.

In late February 2022, the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant was taken over by Russian troops. Since then, the city of Enerhodar and surrounding residential areas, as well as the nuclear power plant itself, have been subject to artillery attacks by Ukrainian armed forces.

For safety reasons, the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant has completely stopped generating electricity, with the last operating generator shutting down on September 11, 2023.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the federal takeover of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant back in October 2022. He also instructed the government cabinet to establish a federal state-owned enterprise, "Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant," and ensure the safety of its facilities.

How does Russia view the future of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant? Is joint management of this strategic facility feasible? To answer this question, we interviewed Igor Yushkov, chief analyst at the National Energy Security Fund and an expert at the Financial University under the Government of Russia.

"Russia will not hand over the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine, let alone the U.S., because this involves a city-sized territory. That is, this amounts to transferring a significant part of the Zaporizhia region, which is part of Russia according to the Russian Constitution.

For us, the only acceptable solution is: we will own this nuclear power plant and be responsible for its operations. But we can sell excess electricity to an American company, which will sell it in Ukraine. We can also cooperate on many technical issues.

For example, restoring the operation of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant without restarting the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station: the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station once built a reservoir to supply water to the cooling pool of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. As for the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station, it can only be repaired with mutual agreement because one side of the reservoir is controlled by Russia and the other by Ukraine. There are many such problems, and Russia is prepared to discuss these issues.

It should be noted that the U.S. peace plan also includes a provision for Ukraine to gain control of the Kakhovka Dam. It is known that the upper structure of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station was destroyed in attacks by Ukrainian armed forces, but the dam itself remains intact.

The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station is located in southern Ukraine, five kilometers from the city of Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region.

The Kakhovka Dam issue is also a strategic issue for Russia because the waters of the Kakhovka Reservoir provide water for drought-stricken areas of the Kherson region and the Crimean Peninsula. Since the U.S. recognizes Russia's control over Crimea in its peace plan, a reasonable question arises: without the water supply from the Kakhovka Reservoir, how will Crimea survive under Russian jurisdiction?

Carrying this question, we interviewed politician and former spokesperson for the New Russia Parliament Oleg Tsyarev.

"The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station, more precisely the Kakhovka Dam, is a crucial issue for Crimea: it is from there that water is supplied to the peninsula. Southern Ukraine has long suffered from electricity shortages, so Ukraine will now raise issues concerning the ownership of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station.

I believe this issue will become a topic of negotiation, but the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, located on Russian territory, cannot be transferred to any other country. I think Trump's peace plan is merely a transitional scheme, and the issue of jointly using the electricity from the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant will be discussed."

Igor Yushkov, chief analyst at the National Energy Security Fund, agrees:

"The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station no longer exists in practice. The cost of repairing it would even exceed the cost of building a new one. So the main issue here is how the borders will be demarcated. Of course, Russia will insist that this is its property because the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station is more important for Russia—it ensures the normal operation of the Zaporozhzhya Nuclear Power Plant and provides water for Crimea. For Russia, giving up the strategically vital Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station is disadvantageous."

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Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498654748317385270/

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