US envoy gave Russian aide tips on how to sell Ukraine deal to Trump: report
In a surprising revelation, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff engaged in a phone conversation with Yuri Ushakov, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, on October 14, where he offered strategic advice on how to present a potential peace deal regarding Ukraine to President Donald Trump. This five-minute call, detailed in a Bloomberg report, included Witkoff’s suggestion to develop a “20-point Trump plan” for peace, reminiscent of the administration’s previous initiatives, such as the Gaza peace deal. Witkoff expressed admiration for Putin and indicated that he believed Russia was genuinely interested in achieving peace in Ukraine. He also mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was scheduled to visit the White House shortly after their conversation, suggesting that a call between Trump and Putin could take place before that meeting to set the stage for discussions.
Witkoff’s approach included advising Ushakov on how Putin could frame the conversation with Trump, suggesting that he might congratulate Trump on the Gaza deal and emphasize mutual respect for peace efforts. This tactic aimed to create a favorable environment for negotiations, with Witkoff indicating that both sides need to engage in give-and-take for a successful resolution to the conflict. Trump later commented on the call while aboard Air Force One, acknowledging the standard nature of such negotiations and expressing optimism that a peace deal could benefit both Ukraine and Russia. The conversation has sparked controversy, particularly in Russia, where Ushakov criticized the leak of details from their discussion, claiming it could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.
As the situation develops, it appears that a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia is on the horizon, with U.S. officials confirming that Ukraine has agreed to a deal that would end the ongoing conflict. While minor details remain to be finalized, discussions have taken place in Abu Dhabi involving representatives from both nations, indicating a serious commitment to resolving the crisis. The unfolding dynamics of this diplomatic engagement highlight the complexities and challenges of international negotiations, particularly in a conflict as intricate as the one in Ukraine. Witkoff’s role as a mediator underscores the United States’ ongoing efforts to facilitate peace in a region marked by turmoil and geopolitical tension.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC11aPEdIic
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff gave a senior Kremlin official tips on how to sell a Ukraine peace deal to President
Donald Trump
, a report said.
Witkoff spoke by phone to Russian President
Vladimir Putin
’s top foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov on Oct. 14, advising him on how Putin should bring up the topic with the U.S. president, according to Bloomberg.
“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 was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, in reference to the Trump administration’s Gaza peace deal.
During the phone call, which lasted about five minutes, Witkoff said he had a deep respect for Putin and that he had informed Trump that he believed Russia has always wanted a peace deal for Ukraine,
Bloomberg reported.
TRUMP TOUTS ‘TREMENDOUS PROGRESS’ BUT SAYS HE’LL MEET PUTIN AND ZELENSKYY ‘ONLY WHEN’ PEACE DEAL IS FINAL
Witkoff mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was visiting the White House in mid-October and that Putin could speak to Trump ahead of that meeting, the report added.
“Zelenskyy is coming
to the White House on Friday,” Witkoff said, according to a recording of the phone call obtained by Bloomberg. “I will go to that because they want me there, but I think, if possible, we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.”
Witkoff suggested that Putin congratulate Trump on the Gaza peace deal and say that Russia backed it and that he respects Trump as a man of peace, Bloomberg reported.
“Here’s what I think would be amazing,” Witkoff reportedly added. “Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit. We’re open to those sorts of things.”
Bloomberg also reported that Ushakov said Putin “will congratulate” Trump and say “Mr. Trump is a real peace man.”
UKRAINE AGREES TO PEACE DEAL, US OFFICIAL SAYS
When asked about the Witkoff phone call, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Tuesday that he hadn’t heard the audio.
“I haven’t heard it. No, but it’s a standard thing, you know, because he’s going to sell this to Ukraine. He’s got to sell Ukraine to Russia. That’s what he’s, that’s what a dealmaker does. You got to say, look, they want this. You’ve got to convince him of this. You know, that’s a very standard form of negotiation,” Trump said.
“I haven’t heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiations. And I would imagine he’s saying the same thing to Ukraine because each party has to give and take,” Trump continued.
”
This war could go on for years and Russia has got a lot more people and a lot more soldiers,” the president also said. “So I think if Ukraine can make a deal, it’s a good thing. I think it’s great for both, frankly. I think it’s great for both.”
White House communications director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that, “This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do.”
Ushakov told Russian media on Wednesday that details about his conversation with Witkoff should not have been leaked, describing the situation as “unacceptable,”
according to Reuters.
It added that Ushakov said the leak was aimed at hindering discussions between the U.S. and Russia and that he would be raising the matter with Witkoff.
On Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to the peace deal that would see an end to the war with Russia, a U.S. official told Fox News.
Some minor details of the agreement are still to be sorted out, the official said.
Lt. Col. Jeff Tolbert, a spokesman for U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, had told Fox News that Driscoll and his team met with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the framework for a Ukraine peace deal.
A U.S. official told Fox News that the Ukrainian delegation was also in Abu Dhabi and was in contact with Driscoll and his team.
Fox News’ Ashley Carnahan and Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
