President Donald Trump said on Thursday that ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and Russia have included discussions about territorial concessions and the fate of a major power plant, further signaling high-stakes diplomacy in efforts to end the war.
Speaking at the White House alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump indicated that “land” and “a very big power plant” were key issues in the talks. While he did not specify which power plant, the remarks are widely interpreted as referring to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, which is currently under Russian control.
Why It Matters
The talks come as Ukraine has accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in negotiations held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier this week. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia agrees in principle with the proposal, but key terms still need to be negotiated. He stressed that any agreement should lead to lasting peace and address the root causes of the conflict.
AFP/Getty Images
What To Know
Trump’s comments suggest that territorial adjustments and control over strategic infrastructure are central to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal.
Trump said, “We have not been working in the dark. We’ve been discussing with Ukraine land. Pieces of land that would be kept and lost… There is a power plant involved. A very big power plant involved, who is going to get the power plant.”
Trump did not specify the power plant or provide details, but the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, is on the front lines of the conflict and is currently controlled by Russia. The plant has been repeatedly disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid due to attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure.
Trump: We’ve been discussing with Ukraine land. Pieces of land that would be kept and lost… There is a power plant involved. A very big power plant involved. Who is going to get the power plant.
pic.twitter.com/QdTTNQragH— Acyn (@Acyn) March 13, 2025
Speaking to reporters before his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President Donald Trump reiterated his call for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine.
“You don’t want to waste time with a ceasefire if it’s not going to mean anything. So we’re saying, ‘This is what you can get. This is what you can’t get,'” Trump said.
“Now we’re going to see whether or not Russia is there and if they’re not, it will be a very disappointing moment for the world,” he added.
What People Are Saying
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday: “We agree with the proposals to halt the fighting, but we proceed from the assumption that the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis.”
White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said in a statement Tuesday: “The Ukrainian delegation today made something very clear, that they share President Trump’s vision for peace, they share his determination to end the fighting, to end the killing, to end the tragic meat grinder of people.”
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address on Sunday: “We hope for results, both in bringing peace closer and in continuing support.”
What Happens Next
While Ukraine has not publicly responded to Trump’s mention of territorial concessions, President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any peace deal that involves ceding Ukrainian land to Russia. U.S. special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is set to meet with Putin on Thursday night in Moscow.
Update: 3/13/25, 2:58 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 3/13/25, 2:43 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
