ISTANBUL

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday that Kyiv supports the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement with the US, amid efforts to conclude "technical" talks on establishing an investment fund for Ukraine's reconstruction.

“I emphasized that the Government of Ukraine supports the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement and the establishment of an investment fund for reconstruction,” Shmyhal said on X, following his talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, DC.

Shmyhal said the Ukrainian and US negotiation teams are still actively working on this issue and that he and Bessent discussed important political aspects of the future document.

He said that Kyiv looks forward to further “fruitful” dialogue with Washington, thanking the American people for their support for his country amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

He also thanked US President Donald Trump for signing an order renewing sanctions against Moscow for another year and extending the ban on Russian-owned ships and those with ties to the country from entering American ports for another year.

“It is crucial to increase the pressure of sanctions on the aggressor in order to force it to make peace,” he added.

The Ukrainian prime minister also issued a statement on Telegram about the talks, stating that Kyiv and Washington had agreed to begin work on a free trade zone between the two countries.

Shmyhal's meeting with Bessent in the US comes after both countries signed a memorandum of intent last Thursday on a potential critical minerals deal, paving the way for an economic partnership and the establishment of a fund to rebuild the war-torn country.

The memorandum noted that Shmyhal will travel to Washington on Monday for talks with Bessent to support the conclusion of “technical” discussions on establishing the investment fund.

“Negotiating teams are expected to report on the progress by April 26, 2025, with the aim of completing discussions by that date and signing as soon as possible,” the document added.

The initial minerals deal was scheduled to be signed at the White House in late February.

However, Zelenskyy engaged in a heated dispute at the Oval Office with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance, after which the signing of the agreement was canceled.

During the exchange, Trump and Vance berated the Ukrainian president and accused him of being ungrateful for years of American support.

Zelenskyy, for his part, sought to defend his handling of the war in Ukraine and warned that it poses risks not just for Kyiv but for the wider international community, including the US.