President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held their first conversation since their heated White House encounter, marking a significant turn in US-Ukraine relations.
According to the New York Post, the Trump administration has abandoned a proposed minerals deal with Ukraine, instead suggesting American involvement in operating the country's nuclear power facilities.
The White House revealed this strategic pivot during Wednesday's press briefing, where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration's new focus on nuclear infrastructure. The proposed shift comes amid ongoing cease-fire negotiations between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow, highlighting the administration's evolving approach to the Ukraine conflict.
The administration's particular interest centers on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant, Europe's largest facility, which sits precariously on Russian-occupied territory's border. Since Russian forces seized control in March 2022, the largely inactive plant has faced several dangerous incidents during combat operations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt elaborated on Trump's proposal, stating that American expertise could enhance the operation and security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities. The administration believes US stakeholding would provide crucial protection for these vital resources.
The Zaporizhzhya situation has raised international concern, with experts warning of potentially catastrophic consequences that could surpass the 1986 Chernobyl disaster if the facility sustains damage during military operations.
The abandoned mineral deal represented a significant economic framework between the US and Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and special envoy Keith Kellogg traveled to Kyiv last month to finalize the agreement.
Trump had positioned the mineral deal as Ukraine's method of repaying American aid received over the past three years. The proposed agreement would have established a joint fund for extracting valuable minerals worth billions of dollars. Leavitt addressed the administration's change in direction, stating, "We have moved beyond the economic mineral deal. We are now focused on a long-term peace agreement."
The administration's nuclear plant proposal coincides with progress in cease-fire negotiations. National security adviser Mike Waltz plans to visit Saudi Arabia for continued discussions with Russian officials.
Recent developments include Russia's agreement to a cease-fire regarding energy and infrastructure matters during Trump's Tuesday call with Putin. The White House emphasized this point after the Kremlin attempted to narrow the scope of the agreement.
Press Secretary Leavitt highlighted the broader implications, noting, "The mineral deal was that first set of framework. We are now focused on a long-term peace agreement."
The Trump administration has redirected its Ukraine strategy from mineral extraction to nuclear infrastructure management. This significant policy shift occurred following the February 28 White House confrontation between Trump and Zelensky, which initially threatened to derail bilateral cooperation.
The new focus on nuclear facilities demonstrates the administration's commitment to maintaining strategic interests in Ukraine while addressing critical safety concerns. As peace negotiations continue, the proposed American role in Ukrainian nuclear operations could establish a new framework for long-term cooperation between the two nations.
