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Ukraine Proposes Free Trade Agreement With US in Bid to Strengthen Economic Ties
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States in a letter sent to US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s top trade official confirmed on May 20 in a comment to Interfax Ukraine.
Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s trade representative and deputy economic minister, disclosed the proposal at a conference in Kyiv, noting that it represents the next phase of discussions between the two countries.
“We are interested in FTAs with all G7 countries,” Kachka said, adding that Ukraine already has agreements with the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. “What we still need are the United States and Japan,” he added.
The US and Ukraine are already working on the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which Kachka sees as a potential foundation for a free trade agreement. He also cautioned that while the discussions are still in their early stages, the proposal could be of interest to the United States.
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Zelenskyy’s proposal comes as Ukraine seeks to deepen its economic ties with the US to ensure future security against Russian aggression, particularly once a peace deal is reached with Moscow.
While the agreement would not provide the same security guarantees as NATO membership—a key objective for Ukraine prior to the war—Kachka noted that it would offer expanded US interests in Ukraine, potentially deterring Russian actions and reinforcing Washington’s commitment to Kyiv.
In his letter to Trump, Zelenskyy also outlined proposals for cooperation in the military-industrial and trade sectors. The Ukrainian presidential office did not provide additional details but confirmed that the letter was sent with an emphasis on new opportunities for collaboration.
The White House has yet to respond to Zelenskyy’s letter.
Earlier on May 19, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will not accept any conditions requiring the withdrawal of its armed forces from Ukrainian territory.
