Kyiv is in talks with the United States about a possible free-trade agreement, as Ukraine seeks to entice a reluctant Washington to provide firm security guarantees, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
– Such a deal would involve tariff-free trade with the U.S. and would give Ukraine “very serious cards,” Zelenskyy said.
– He expects to meet with Trump either in the U.S. or at the Davos conference in Switzerland, which starts on Jan. 19.
– Europe and the U.S. presented a detailed plan for Ukraine in Paris earlier this week, including security guarantees with American backing and a promise to deploy British and French troops after a ceasefire.
– Washington did not sign on to join a multinational force for Ukraine, raising concerns about its level of commitment.
– The offer of a free-trade deal could act as an additional incentive for the U.S. to remain committed to protecting Ukraine after the end of the war.
– “I don’t want everything to end up in them merely promising to react”. “I really want something more concrete,”Zelenskyy said.
– Zelenskyy said his negotiator, Rustem Umerov, had a call on Friday with Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and that U.S. representatives have been in contact with Russia recently in “some kind of format.”
– Ukraine has given its views on territorial proposals, which the U.S. side will share with Russia for its own responses, Zelenskyy said.
– Ukraine also is considering a plan, proposed by the U.S., to create a buffer zone between the two sides after troops pull back.
-“The format is difficult but fair,” Zelenskyy said.
– Zelenskyy added that he is not opposed to European leaders talking to Russia.