Russia has not received any US offer to help operate Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - Lavrov in CBS interview

Russia has not received any US offer to help operate Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - Lavrov in CBS interview

Russia has not received any US offer to help operate the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This revelation was made during an interview with CBS, where Lavrov commented on the ongoing negotiations between Russia and the US regarding the Ukrainian conflict. The minister stated that while Russia maintains contact with the US administration on the peaceful settlement of the conflict, there has been no specific proposal from the US to assist in the operation of the nuclear plant [2].

The US has been seeking concessions from both Russia and Ukraine to end the war, which has been ongoing since 2022. One of the key demands from the US is that Russia accept Ukraine's right to develop its own adequately equipped army and defense industry as part of a peace agreement [1]. This stance is a significant departure from Russia's insistence that Ukraine largely demilitarize as a condition for ending the war.

The US envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to travel to Russia to discuss these issues with President Vladimir Putin. The meeting is expected to focus on the Ukrainian settlement and may include discussions on the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. However, the specifics of the meeting have yet to be disclosed, and the outcome remains uncertain.

The situation in Ukraine continues to be a major focus for both Russia and the US. The conflict has had significant geopolitical and economic implications, affecting global energy markets and international relations. As negotiations proceed, the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remains a contentious issue, with Russia and the US holding differing views on the plant's operation and control.

References:
[1] https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3307855/us-press-russias-putin-drop-ukraine-demilitarisation-demand-part-peace-deal
[2] https://tass.com/politics/1949143