“President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said on January 9 that he is discussing a possible free trade agreement with the US as part of a broader package of measures aimed at rebuilding the country after the war.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: Zelensky’s telephone interview with “Bloomberg”
Details: The deal would provide for zero tariffs on trade with the US and apply to some industrial regions of Ukraine, giving the country a “very strong advantage” over neighboring states and potentially attracting investment and business.
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Zelensky noted that he would need to discuss the details of the proposal directly with US President Donald Trump, adding that such an agreement would also serve as an additional guarantee of economic security.
The president made the statement after receiving a report from NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov, who had a phone conversation with Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Friday.
Zelensky added that U.S. representatives have recently been in contact with Russia in “some format,” but he did not know whether Witkoff or Kushner would soon fly to Russia for face-to-face meetings.
The president also added that Ukraine has provided its comments on the territorial proposals to the American team, which will then pass them on to the Russians.
The head of state expressed hope to receive Russia’s response to the 20-point program before he finalizes security guarantees and a recovery plan with Trump, which could happen as early as the end of this month.
He added that he hopes to meet with Trump either in the US or in Davos, Switzerland.
What preceded:
On the eve Axios reported that Zelenskyi may visit the US next week to meet with Donald Trump, or meet with him in Davos.