Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine / EPA
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump spoke at Pope Francis’ funeral
The prospects for a trade deal, which would involve tariff-free trade with the US and give Ukraine “very serious cards”, come at a time when all parties are beginning to consider more seriously how to end the war in Ukraine and ensure peace in the future.
Kiev is in talks with the US over a possible free trade agreementat a time when Ukraine seeks to entice a reluctant Washington to provide firm security guarantees, declared the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Such a deal would involve tariff-free trade with the US and give Ukraine “very serious letters“, said Zelenskyy in an interview published this Friday night.
Zelenskyy detailed that Haven’t discussed the matter yet directly with the North American president, and added that he hopes to meet with Donald Trump in the USA or at the Davos conference in Switzerland, which begins on January 19th.
As prospects for a trade agreement They come at a time when all parties are beginning to consider more seriously how to end the war in Ukraine and how to ensure peace in the future.
Europe and the USA presented a detailed plan to Ukraine in Paris earlier this week, including US-backed security guarantees and a pledge to deploy British and French troops after a ceasefire.
But Washington has not signed up to participate in a multinational force for Ukraine, raising concerns about its level of commitment. The offer of a free trade agreement could act as an additional incentive for the US to remain committed to protecting Ukraine after the end of the war, notes the .
Zelenskyy stated in the interview that he intends specific commitments from Washington. “I don’t want everything to end with just promises that they will react,” he said. “I really want something more concrete“.
Zelenskyy revealed that his negotiator, Rustem Umerovhad a telephone conversation on Friday with Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and that US representatives were recently in contact with Russia “in some kind of format”.
Ukraine presented their views on territorial proposals, which the North American side will share with Russia so that it can present its own responses, said Zelenskyy.
Ukraine is also consider a plan, proposed by the USto create a buffer zone between the two sides after troop withdrawal. “The format is difficult but fair,” said Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy added that does not oppose European leaderss talk to Russia. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni joined the French President on Friday Emmanuel Macron in the call for dialogue with Moscow.
