Headline Roundup • November 25th, 2025
US Special Envoy Reportedly Advised Russia on Ukraine Peace Plan
Summary from the AllSides News Team
In October, Steve Witkoff, US special envoy and a key player in the Trump administration's peace missions, reportedly advised Russian officials on how to pitch a Ukraine peace deal to President Donald Trump.
The Details: According to an audio recording reported by Bloomberg (Lean Left bias), Witkoff, who previously helped shape the US ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza, met with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev to draft a Ukraine peace plan favoring Russian interests. The initial 28-point plan, developed in part by Witkoff and Dmitriev, proposed major Ukrainian concessions–including surrendering eastern territory, limiting its military, and renouncing NATO membership–while offering little from Russia. Reports also indicate Witkoff suggested Putin praise Trump's handling of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire before discussing the plan. Drafting reportedly took place over private dinners in Miami with Jared Kushner and was largely unknown to Secretary of State Marco Rubio until the plan was leaked.
For Context: This news comes amidst ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with the US stepping in to mediate peace talks. Analysts predict that Russia will reject any changes to the peace plan that Ukraine accepts. The plan has since been revised to 19 points, removing the most controversial aspects related to Ukrainian territory and NATO membership.
How the Media Covered It: Bloomberg first reported the findings. It focused on Witkoff's advisory role to Russia on how to present the peace plan to Trump, and the potential implications of this direct diplomacy. The New York Post (Lean Right) placed emphasis on the secrecy of the meetings and the initial bias of the plan towards Russian interests. It highlighted the heavy concessions Ukraine would have to make. Forbes (Center) focused on Witkoff's advice to Ushakov on how to approach Trump, and highlighted the role of flattery in these diplomatic negotiations.
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Featured Coverage of this Story
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
The original 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine was drafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner after "secret meetings" with a Kremlin insider in Miami – and Secretary of State Marco Rubio only learned the "full scope" of the proposal once it was leaked, according to a report.
AFP via Getty Images
Witkoff spoke to Yuri Ushakov, a top Putin aide, in a short phone call lasting only about five minutes on Oct. 14, according to a transcript published by Bloomberg on Tuesday.
