Shmyhal agrees with Bessent to start work on free trade zone between Ukraine and US
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that he had agreed with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to start work on a free trade zone between Ukraine and the US. Shmyhal announced this on the Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.
"We agreed to start work on a free trade zone between Ukraine and the US," he said.
Shmyhal also reported that during the meeting with Bessent, they raised the issue of financial assistance to Ukraine for the next year.
Shmyhal emphasized in a conversation with Bessent that the Ukrainian government undoubtedly supports the conclusion of an agreement on economic partnership between the American and Ukrainian peoples and the creation of an investment fund for reconstruction.
"Our negotiating teams continue their active work, as stipulated in the signed memorandum. The negotiating groups will report on progress by April 26 of this year. We discussed important political aspects of the future document. We also emphasized that the agreement, according to Ukrainian legislation, must be ratified by the Verkhovna Rada," he noted.
Shmyhal expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for signing a decree by which he extended sanctions against russia for another year, as well as for extending the ban on entry into American ports of vessels belonging to russia or having ties to the russian federation for another year.
The Prime Minister emphasized that it is necessary to increase sanctions pressure on the aggressor in order to force it to make peace, in particular, he and Bessent discussed strengthening sanctions on the russian energy sector in connection with the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
"We appreciate the constructive tone of the negotiations between our technical teams and look forward to further fruitful dialogue for the well-being of the Ukrainian and American peoples," Shmyhal noted.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Shmyhal arrived in the United States to discuss financing for Ukraine in 2026.
The memorandum between Ukraine and the United States provides for Shmyhal's visit to Washington on April 21-27 to complete discussions on the agreement on the creation of an investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine.