Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to hold peace talks at the Kremlin next week on a US-backed plan to end the war in Ukraine, following a leaked conversation that revealed his advisory role to Russian officials. The meeting, confirmed by Vladimir Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov, comes as both sides signal progress but face significant hurdles over territorial disputes.
The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that Witkoff will travel to Moscow for discussions, after Ukraine indicated a ‘common understanding’ with the White House on the outline of a potential deal. Trump has tasked Witkoff with meeting Putin and sent US Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll to Ukraine for parallel talks, emphasizing his goal of securing a peace agreement. This flurry of diplomatic activity follows the emergence of a 28-point draft peace plan that has been revised in recent days.
A leaked transcript of an October 14 phone call between Witkoff and Ushakov, obtained by Bloomberg, shows Witkoff advising that Russia would need control of Donetsk and a potential land swap for peace, while suggesting optimistic framing of talks. Trump described this as ‘standard negotiation,’ and the White House did not dispute the transcript. In the call, Witkoff also proposed developing a joint peace framework modeled on the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and Ushakov agreed to congratulate Trump and portray him as a ‘peace man.’
The peace plan initially required Ukraine to cede the entire Donetsk region to Russia, including areas still under Ukrainian control, and grant Russia sovereignty over Luhansk and Crimea while freezing battle lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine would also pledge not to join NATO and significantly reduce its armed forces. However, after criticism, the plan has been ‘fine-tuned,’ with some provisions removed, as confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said it now represents the ‘right approach.’
Zelenskyy has expressed cautious optimism, stating he is ready to meet Trump to discuss outstanding ‘sensitive points’ and aiming for a meeting before the end of the month. He emphasized the importance of American support, noting that ‘Russia pays the greatest attention to American strength.’ Meanwhile, Trump has pushed for a deal but acknowledged that the original draft was merely a ‘concept,’ not a final plan, and set no deadline for agreement.
European leaders have reacted with skepticism to the prospects of an imminent peace deal. French President Emmanuel Macron said he sees ‘no Russian will for a ceasefire,’ and Downing Street warned of ‘a long way to go – a tough road ahead.’ In response, Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of Ukraine’s allies, establishing a task force with the US to accelerate work on security guarantees for Ukraine, reflecting concerns over the plan’s implications for European security.
The leaked call and subsequent developments have intensified scrutiny on US diplomacy, with some European officials previously questioning the origins of the peace plan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to insist it was ‘authored by the US’ after senators claimed it reflected Russian demands. Despite this, both US and Ukrainian officials hail progress, with intensive work planned on unresolved issues such as security guarantees and control of disputed territories.
As diplomacy advances, the war continues unabated, with recent strikes in Zaporizhzhia causing injuries and power outages. The conflict, ongoing since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and millions displaced. The upcoming Kremlin talks represent a critical juncture, but achieving a lasting peace will require bridging deep divides over sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, with the international community watching closely for any breakthrough.
