Ukraine’s Nuclear Plant: American Technology in the hands of the Russian Army

 Viktoriya Voytsytska, a former Member of Ukrainian Parliament, published an important article in the National Interest highlighting the nuclear risk that the Russian Army poses to Europe and the world by occupying the  Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the American involvement in this crisis.

“Never before in modern history has a nuclear power plant been weaponized as a tool of war and blackmail.”

“A critical yet underreported dimension of this crisis is the involvement of American nuclear technology at ZNPP. Under U.S. law, unauthorized access to this technology constitutes a serious violation with legal consequences. Russian personnel lack the required certifications and clearance to handle Westinghouse nuclear components, making their continued presence at the site not only illegal under international law, but also a direct challenge to U.S. national interests.”

The article highlights the importance of the nuclear plant to Ukraine and the region as a key component of removing dependence on Russian energy sources through Ukrainian energy exports. Additionally, any investments into rare earth mining requires substantial energy needs which the ZNPP can provide.

Most importantly, “If Moscow’s unlawful control of the ZNPP is allowed to persist without consequences, it may embolden other authoritarian regimes, namely China, Iran, and North Korea, to adopt similar tactics. “