By Aaron Miller-
A newly leaked transcript reveals that Steve Witkoff, acting as a top envoy for Donald Trump, privately coached a senior Kremlin official on how to persuade the U.S. president to accept a Ukraine peace plan that critics say heavily favors Moscow. The disclosure, published by Bloomberg News and widely reported in international media, has stirred diplomatic unease and renewed scrutiny of behind‑the‑scenes negotiations.
According to the transcript of a conversation on October 14 between Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov — a foreign‑policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin — Witkoff suggested that Russia’s leader open a call with Trump by congratulating him on a recent Gaza ceasefire, portraying Russia as supportive of peace, and flattering Trump’s image as a deal‑maker. Witkoff told Ushakov: “We put a 20‑point Trump plan together that was 20 points for peace … I’m thinking maybe we do the same thing with you.”
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He further advised Ushakov to prepare Russia’s version of a settlement and suggested that a direct call between Putin and Trump could lay the groundwork for what later emerged as the 28‑point peace proposal publicly endorsed by the Trump administration.
The so‑called 28‑point plan, which was unveiled in November 2025 and has drawn backlash from Ukraine and many Western allies, includes controversial elements — such as territorial concessions from Ukraine and commitments contrary to Kiev’s stated red lines.
In response to the leaks, the Russian government confirmed that Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow soon for further talks. The Kremlin described the developments as a step toward advancing diplomatic efforts, while Washington defended Witkoff’s conduct. A White House communications official said that the envoy’s role involved direct negotiations with all parties and dismissed the leak as part of typical back‑channel diplomacy.
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However, the reaction has not been limited to official statements. U.S. lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm. Republican Representative Don Bacon declared the transcript alarming evidence that Witkoff is “acting as if he were working for Russia,” arguing that he “should be fired.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian leaders and European allies have voiced deep distrust in the process. For many, the leaks confirm suspicions that the peace plan may be more of a diplomatic manoeuvre than a genuine attempt at conflict resolution. As one Ukrainian official told reporters, “Peace cannot be built by side‑deals made in secret by those who invaded our country.”
As the fallout intensifies, the question is no longer whether talks continue — but whether anyone can trust the settings in which they are being shaped.
The leak raises serious questions about transparency, fairness, and the integrity of peace negotiations
The disclosed conversation between Witkoff and Ushakov highlights deep structural issues around the secrecy of diplomatic bargaining over Ukraine, the role of intermediaries, and the vulnerability of negotiation processes to manipulation.
First, the call underscores the risk inherent in private diplomacy — when high‑stakes deals are brokered behind closed doors, without oversight, public accountability, or input from affected parties. In this case, the plan under discussion could reshape Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and military future, yet much of its design reportedly occurred without Ukrainian consent. For many observers, that is a fundamental democratic deficit.
Second, the revelations call into question the legitimacy of the 28‑point proposal itself. Critics argue the plan appears to have originated in Moscow, with language, framing, and priorities aligning more with Russian interests than with those of Ukraine or the international community.
Linguistic analyses by several experts have noted “Russian‑style constructions” and translation artifacts in the English draft — a detail that some say supports claims the plan was penned originally in Russian then superficially translated for presentation as a U.S. initiative.
Third, there is a strategic and moral concern. An envoy advising one side in a conflict — particularly the aggressor — on how to influence another sovereign leader pushes the boundaries of acceptable diplomatic conduct. It blurs the line between mediation and advocacy, raising fears that the U.S. may be functioning less as an impartial broker than as an enabler of Russian demands.
Critics say that such manoeuvres undermine long‑term prospects for sustainable peace. Sweeping territorial concessions or forced agreements made under pressure risk deepening resentment, undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty, and sowing instability for years to come.
One senior European diplomat pointed out, “Peace imposed behind closed doors is rarely peace at all . It is just the calm before the storm.”
Even within the United States, voices calling for caution are growing louder. Some argue that the leak should prompt a full congressional inquiry into how the peace plan was formulated, who was involved, and whether Ukrainian interests were ever genuinely represented.
Whether or not such scrutiny happens — or whether the leaked details mark just the beginning of a broader unraveling — remains to be seen. What is clear is that trust in the negotiation process has been severely damaged.
The fragile future of peace diplomacy for Ukraine
In the coming days, Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow with other U.S. envoys to continue talks with Russian officials. The Kremlin has confirmed such a trip, indicating ongoing commitment to the negotiation track.
On the diplomatic front, Ukraine and its allies are likely to press for greater transparency: full public release of the proposals, inclusion of European partners in negotiations, and independent verification of any draft agreement’s implications. With war still raging on multiple fronts, the stakes could not be higher — and any misstep may undo gains and deepen mistrust.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, members of Congress are debating whether to re-evaluate U.S. diplomatic strategy toward Russia. Calls for oversight and clearer boundaries around peace‑deal negotiations are intensifying, particularly among those who fear that the current approach risks compromising America’s credibility.
Many around the world and inside Ukraine the leaked conversation is a reminder that peace must be built openly, fairly, and with the full participation of those most affected. Attempts to broker deals in the shadows may speed up diplomacy, but they risk sacrificing justice, legitimacy, and long-term stability in the process.
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