Zelensky says framework economic deal between Ukraine and US is ready
However, the Ukrainian President said vital security guarantees from Washington are yet to be decided.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a framework economic deal with the US is ready – but security guarantees that Kyiv views as vital remain to be decided.
A full agreement could hinge on talks in Washington as early as Friday.
The agreed upon framework deal is a preliminary step toward a comprehensive agreement that will be subject to ratification by Ukraine’s parliament, Mr Zelensky said during a news conference in Kyiv.
Ukraine needs to know first where the US stands on its continued military support, Mr Zelensky said.
He said that he expects to have a wide-ranging conversation with US President Donald Trump during a visit to Washington.
“This (economic) agreement may be part of future security guarantees, but I want to understand the broader vision. What awaits Ukraine?” Mr Zelensky said.
Since returning to office last month, Mr Trump let Ukraine know that he wanted something in return for tens of billions of dollars in US help to fend off the full-scale invasion that Russia launched just over three years ago on February 24 2022.
The agreement, seen by The Associated Press, says that the US “supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace”.
“Participants will seek to identify any necessary steps to protect mutual investments as defined in the… agreement,” it says.
A White House official made clear again on Wednesday after Mr Zelensky spoke that accepting the agreement was a necessary precondition of Mr Trump’s invitation to Mr Zelensky to meet on Friday.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the invitation.
“This agreement may either be a great success or quietly fade away,” Mr Zelensky said. “And I believe success depends on our conversation with President Trump.”
“I want to coordinate with the US,” Mr Zelensky said.
Mr Trump has abruptly ditched some previous Washington policies.
He scrapped efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and cast doubt on US support for its European allies.
That has brought momentous geopolitical shifts that could reset the war’s path this year.
Mr Zelensky said the main topics that he wants to discuss with Mr Trump are whether the US plans to halt military aid and, if so, whether Ukraine would be able to purchase weapons directly from the US.
He also wants to know whether Ukraine can use frozen Russian assets for the purchase of weapons and investments and whether Washington plans to lift sanctions on Russia.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Ukraine and the US have reached preliminary agreement on a broad economic deal that includes US access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
The preliminary agreement sets out the terms and conditions of an investment fund for the rebuilding of Ukraine, according to Mr Shmyhal.
