Former U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could assume ownership and operation of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, as part of a broader effort to broker a ceasefire in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The proposal was discussed during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, just a day before top military officials from 30 nations convene in the UK to plan a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Zelensky, speaking from Finland during an online briefing, confirmed the conversation and said they discussed one nuclear facility currently under Russian occupation — the Zaporizhzhia plant. He emphasized that he felt “no pressure” from Trump to make concessions to Moscow.

The Ukrainian president also announced Kyiv’s readiness to pause strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s pledge to halt attacks on Ukrainian targets.

Despite these developments, a broader ceasefire remains elusive. During his own call with Trump on Tuesday, Putin reiterated Russia’s demand that Western nations must end all military aid to Ukraine as a precondition for a comprehensive truce. He also called for Ukraine to cease mobilization and rearmament efforts.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have expressed willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a future stabilization force. According to the UK government, several other nations have signaled similar readiness, though specific numbers remain unclear.

In a joint statement, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Trump discussed Ukraine's energy infrastructure and floated the idea of U.S. management of its nuclear plants.

“American ownership of those plants would provide the best protection for that infrastructure,” the statement read.

The White House described Trump’s call with Zelensky as “fantastic,” a notable shift in tone following their recent televised dispute in the Oval Office.

Trump also pledged to assist Kyiv in acquiring additional air defense systems from Europe and to help locate Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russian forces. On his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that efforts toward a ceasefire were “very much on track.”

Further diplomatic talks may take place soon in Saudi Arabia, where U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian delegations are expected to meet next week.

On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 372 prisoners in what Moscow described as a goodwill gesture following the Trump-Putin call. However, both sides continue to accuse each other of ongoing attacks.

Russia claimed it intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Ukrainian officials reported a Russian drone strike in central Kropyvnytskyi injured eight civilians, including a child.

The core obstacle to peace remains Putin’s insistence on halting Western military support for Ukraine — a condition Kyiv and its allies reject. Critics say the demand highlights Moscow’s continued resistance to genuine negotiations.

“I don’t believe Putin at all, not a single word. He only understands force,” said Lev Sholoudko, a 32-year-old resident of Kyiv.

In contrast, some in Moscow remain hopeful. “This is clearly in our favor,” said Larisa, 46. “There is no other way. What happened in 1945 will happen again,” she added, referring to the Soviet Union’s World War II victory.