Zelenskyy discusses zero tariffs for Ukraine's trade with US

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he is discussing a possible free trade agreement with the US as part of a broader package of measures aimed at rebuilding Ukraine after the war.

Source: Zelenskyy in a telephone interview with Bloomberg

Details: The proposed agreement would provide zero tariffs on trade with the US and would apply to certain industrial regions of Ukraine. This would give the country "very serious cards" compared with neighbouring states and could help attract investment and business.

Zelenskyy said 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 Ukraine's economic security.

He made the statement after receiving a report from Rustem Umierov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, who on Friday 9 January had held a phone call with Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Zelenskyy also said that US representatives had recently been in contact with Russia in "some kind of format", though he does not know whether Witkoff or Kushner will travel to Russia for in-person meetings in the near future.

He added that Ukraine had submitted its comments on territorial proposals to the US team, which will then pass them on to the Russian side.

The Ukrainian president expressed hope that Russia would respond to a 20-point plan before he finalises security guarantees and a reconstruction plan with Trump, which could happen as early as the end of this month.

Zelenskyy added that he hopes to meet Trump either in the US or in Davos, Switzerland.

Background: Axios previously reported that Zelenskyy may visit the US next week to meet Trump or hold talks with him in Davos.

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