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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko on Wednesday, pushing for the swift finalization of a long-anticipated economic partnership. The U.S. Treasury emphasized Washington’s commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and a lasting peace, highlighting the urgency of completing technical negotiations and signing the deal.
The push comes as the Biden administration signals waning patience with stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. U.S. officials have warned they may abandon mediation efforts if meaningful progress is not seen soon.
On Thursday, the U.S. and Ukraine reached a memorandum of understanding, and President Donald Trump stated he expects to sign a minerals agreement with Kyiv within the week. A similar deal collapsed in February after a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
In a Treasury statement, Bessent reaffirmed support for Ukraine, calling for immediate action to cement the bilateral economic framework. The statement comes amid continued geopolitical friction, as Russia demands Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations, surrender four occupied regions, and downsize its military — demands Kyiv views as unacceptable.
Tensions between Trump and Zelenskiy flared again this week, with Trump criticizing Ukraine’s stance on Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. The full-scale invasion launched by Moscow in 2022 continues to disrupt peace efforts and complicate diplomatic progress.
As global pressure mounts, the proposed economic partnership between Washington and Kyiv is seen as a strategic move to deepen ties and stabilize Ukraine’s economy. Analysts say such a pact would also signal U.S. commitment to countering Russian influence in the region through economic and political support.
