Trump Envoy’s Ukraine Peace Plan Revealed in Kremlin Call

In a significant disclosure, a private conversation recorded last month reveals that Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, informed a senior Kremlin official that territorial concessions from Ukraine would be essential to secure a peace agreement with Russia. The recording, obtained by Bloomberg, captures Witkoff on October 14 discussing with Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy adviser, the necessity of Russia acquiring control of the Donetsk region and potentially engaging in a further land exchange. This candid exchange sheds light on the origins of a contentious 28-point peace proposal that surfaced in November.

Details of the Proposed Concessions

During the five-minute phone call, Witkoff explicitly outlined his belief that such land cessions were non-negotiable for any lasting resolution. He also encouraged Ushakov to adopt a more optimistic tone in future discussions and to extend congratulations to Trump. “Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere,” Witkoff is heard stating to Ushakov, according to a transcript from Bloomberg. He then advised, “But I’m saying instead of talking like that, let’s talk more hopefully because I think we’re going to get to a deal here.” This direct communication offers a rare glimpse into Witkoff’s proposed negotiating strategy and the underlying assumptions guiding his efforts.

Framing a Broader Peace Framework

The recording further indicates Witkoff’s intention to model a comprehensive Ukraine peace framework on a recent Gaza ceasefire agreement, which he helped facilitate. He suggested that Moscow and Washington could collaborate on a joint initiative. “We put a 20-point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace and I’m thinking maybe we do the same thing with you,” Witkoff conveyed, proposing a structured approach similar to previous diplomatic endeavors. This highlights an attempt to leverage past successes in conflict resolution for the complex situation in Eastern Europe.

Strategic Diplomatic Guidance

Beyond outlining potential territorial shifts, Witkoff also provided tactical advice on how President Putin should engage with Trump. This included recommendations for arranging a direct telephone conversation between the two leaders before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s scheduled visit to the White House later that same week. Ushakov’s response suggested an openness to this guidance, with him noting that Putin “will congratulate” and would characterize Trump as “a real peace man.” This exchange underscores the intricate backchannel diplomacy at play and the strategic positioning being considered ahead of potential high-level talks.

Controversy of the 28-Point Plan

The controversial 28-point proposal, which reportedly emerged shortly after this recorded conversation, calls for Ukraine to relinquish the entirety of the Donetsk region to Russia. This includes areas currently under Ukrainian administration, despite Russia not having full control over the region. The plan also envisions these territories transitioning into a demilitarized buffer zone. Such demands have drawn significant criticism from international observers and Ukrainian officials, who view them as a profound violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The document’s emergence and the details revealed in Witkoff’s call underscore the challenging and often contentious nature of seeking a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

The revelations from this recorded call provide crucial context for understanding the scope and potential implications of certain peace initiatives being discussed behind closed doors, spotlighting the high stakes involved in negotiating an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Source: The Guardian