Kyiv is actively engaged in discussions with the United States regarding a possible free trade agreement, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aims to persuade Washington to provide substantial security guarantees. In an interview with Bloomberg, Zelenskyy emphasized the significance of such a deal, which would facilitate tariff-free trade with the U.S. and could offer Ukraine “very serious cards” in its ongoing negotiations.
Seeking commitments for security and trade
Zelenskyy has not yet had direct discussions about the trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, but he expressed hopes for a meeting either in the U.S. or during the upcoming Davos conference in Switzerland, scheduled for January 19. The discussions about a trade agreement occur in a context where all parties are increasingly focused on strategies for resolving the war in Ukraine and establishing lasting peace.
Earlier this week, Europe and the U.S. unveiled a comprehensive plan for Ukraine in Paris that included security guarantees backed by American support, as well as commitments to deploy British and French troops following a ceasefire. Despite this initiative, Washington has opted not to participate in a multinational force for Ukraine, which has stirred apprehension regarding its commitment level. The prospect of a free trade agreement could serve as a crucial incentive for the U.S. to maintain its protective stance towards Ukraine post-conflict.
Negotiations and future plans
In the Bloomberg interview, Zelenskyy stressed his desire for definitive commitments from Washington, saying, “I don’t want everything to end up in them merely promising to react. I really want something more concrete.” He mentioned that his chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, had a conversation on Friday with Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Additionally, he indicated that U.S. representatives have communicated with Russia recently regarding various issues.
Zelenskyy also revealed that Ukraine has shared its perspectives on territorial proposals, which the U.S. will relay to Russia for further consideration. Furthermore, Ukraine is evaluating a U.S.-proposed plan to establish a buffer zone between the conflicting sides after troop withdrawals. He remarked, “The format is difficult but fair.”
Moreover, Zelenskyy expressed openness to dialogue between European leaders and Russia, aligning with sentiments recently shared by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron, who both advocated for enhanced discussions with Moscow.