The absence of an agreement between Ukraine and the United States on critical issues concerning the Donbass and the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant was confirmed by Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Brussels, stressing that substantial disagreements also remain on economic issues.
The Ukrainian president said that talks with the United States have so far not led to an agreement on the status of Donbas, as the two sides maintain different approaches. “Donbass remains an unresolved issue. We have different views,” he said.
Referring to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is under Russian occupation, Volodymyr Zelensky said that it is a Ukrainian infrastructure, which, despite its destruction and inactivity, should be functioning and providing electricity. “The nuclear power plant, which has been occupied by the Russian Federation, is not working; it is damaged, but it should work and provide electricity. It is our station, it is our rights,” he said.
At the same time, the Ukrainian president revealed that there has been no agreement on the issue of the so-called compensation loan either. As he said, he considers it necessary to resolve this issue positively, stressing that it concerns not only financial support for Ukraine in the first quarter of next year, but also has a broader political and strategic dimension. “Under no circumstances do we want this instrument to remain in the hands of the Russians. We believe that they will do everything to block it,” he noted.
Volodymyr Zelensky also revealed that the United States has proposed a compromise regarding the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which would provide for sharing its control between Ukraine, the United States and Russia. However, it has made it clear that it rejects this proposal, calling it unfair. “I do not consider this option fair,” he said, reiterating the position that the station is Ukrainian property and should be returned to full Ukrainian control.
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