Trump eyes control of Ukraine's nuclear plants as US prepares ceasefire talks with Russia

As high-ranking U.S. officials get ready for a meeting with a Russian delegation in Saudia Arabia on Sunday, there are growing concerns about how the Trump administration will pressure Moscow to prolong a temporary ceasefire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which includes the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who are both set to attend the negotiations in Jeddah, stated that the next objective is to secure a ceasefire specifically in the Black Sea region.

“It would be viewed as a threat to Russia,” Koffler said.

When asked how U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure could affect negotiations, former CIA Moscow station chief Dan Hoffman told Fox News Digital he is not convinced it will have much of an effect on actually securing peace. 

“Show me the deal. We don’t have a deal yet. We have a ceasefire that’s been broken on energy infrastructure,” Hoffman pointed out. He noted that even after Putin agreed to stop attacking Ukraine’s infrastructure on Tuesday, the following morning a drone strike hit a railway power system in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which led to civilian power outages. 

Donald Trump meeting with Vladimir Putin

President Donald Trump meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the first day of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019. (Kremlin Press Office/Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

“It’s just another discussion point. There are so many other issues that are of far greater importance. What Putin would probably do for his negotiating strategy is to say, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ll let you do that United States of America, but I want this in return’. It’s always going to be that way,” Hoffman added, reflecting on his own negotiations with Russian counterparts during his time with the CIA.

“He wants Ukraine. He wants to topple the government. That’s his objective,” Hoffman added. “Whatever deals he agrees to in the short term, what he really wants to do is destroy Ukraine’s ability to deter Russia in the future and to give Russia maximum advantage. 

“Right now, he can gain through negotiation what he can’t gain on the battlefield.” 

While a number of issues will be discussed, the former CIA Moscow station chief said the real key in accomplishing any kind of ceasefire will need to be an authentic signal from Putin that he actually wants the war to end.

“The big question that John Ratcliffe has to answer is explain to me why Putin wants a ceasefire. I would argue he doesn’t,” Hoffman said in reference to the director of the CIA. “There is zero indication that he wants one.

Ukrainian artillery

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a French self-propelled 155 mm/52-caliber gun Caesar toward Russian positions at a front line in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas June 15, 2022. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images)

“If he wanted to stop the war and stop the killing of his own people and stop spilling so much blood and treasure, he would have stopped it,” Hoffman argued.

Ultimately, Hoffman said, when looking at how most major wars have concluded, history suggests the war in Ukraine can only truly end on the battlefield.

“One side loses, one side wins, or both sides don’t have the means to fight anymore,” Hoffman said. “That’s how the wars end.”

You May Also Like
2025: Who is the new pope? Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, 1st American from Chicago, elected as Catholic Church leader

“Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago elected as the first American Pope in 2025”

CHICAGO (WLS) — Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the United States has…
Menendez brothers: Judge to decide whether DA Nathan Hochman should be recused from case

Judge to Determine if DA Nathan Hochman Should Step Down from Menendez Brothers Case

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Attorneys for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were…
Madonna accidentally reveals unusual $23K item in bathroom of her mansion that only the very rich have

Madonna stumbles upon a strange $23,000 object in her mansion bathroom that only wealthy individuals own

Madonna revealed an interesting medical device in the bathroom of her opulent $40M…
New Movies on Streaming: ‘Warfare,’ ‘The Luckiest Man In America,’ + More

Streaming Now: Discover the Latest Films – ‘Warfare,’ ‘The Luckiest Man In America,’ and More

This weekend, there are new movies to enjoy on Video on Demand…
NFL rival Josh Allen's savage swipe at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship

Josh Allen, a rival in the NFL, criticizes Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship.

Travis Kelce once said that he used to dream of being like…
Amtrak bilked out of $12M by at least 119 employees, doctors in fraud scheme; many still on the job: report

At least 119 employees, including doctors, defrauded Amtrak of $12 million in a scheme; many still employed: study.

At least 119 Amtrak employees and doctors took the railroad company for…
Crisis for Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas? Friends say Hollywood's worst-kept secret has created intimate impasse in love affair

Trouble in Paradise for Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas? Friends reveal that the rumored romantic relationship is facing a major obstacle.

Tom Cruise, Hollywood’s renowned actor at 62, has recently been romantically linked…
New pope elected: Cardinal Robert Prevost always wanted to be a priest, Leo XIV's brother says in New Lenox

Cardinal Robert Prevost fulfills lifelong dream, becomes new pope according to brother of Leo XIV in New Lenox

In New Lenox, Illinois, Cardinal Robert Prevost was told by his neighbor…
‘Nonnas’ True Story: Meet the Real Joe Scaravella From Enoteca Maria Who Inspired Vince Vaughn’s Netflix Movie

“Get to Know the Authentic Joe Scaravella from Enoteca Maria, the Inspiration Behind Vince Vaughn’s Film on Netflix: The Real Story of the ‘Nonnas'”

The new movie Nonnas on Netflix tells a touching story about grandmothers…
Chicago chef Felix Zepeda of Rosca collaborates with Pilsen panadería to sell bagels with Mexican twist; for sell at

Chef Felix Zepeda from Rosca in Chicago partners with a bakery in Pilsen to offer Mexican-inspired bagels for sale.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Like Chicago, Rosca is a melting pot of flavors…
Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as pontiff in Sistine Chapel

Pope Leo XIV, who was born in Chicago, holds his first Mass as pontiff in the Sistine Chapel

CHICAGO (WLS) — Pope Leo XIV is just beginning his first full…
William and Kate beam as they join King Charles and Queen Camilla for VE Day concert at the Horse Guards Parade

William and Kate look happy as they attend a VE Day concert with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Horse Guards Parade

The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared to be in good moods…