Leaked audio published by Bloomberg reveals Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, advising Vladimir Putin’s close aide on how Moscow should present its peace plan so the US President would accept it more easily.
During the five-minute call on 14 October, Witkoff gave Yuri Ushakov — Putin’s top foreign-policy adviser — specific guidance on how the Russian President could raise the issue with Trump. His suggestions included arranging a Trump–Putin call before Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House later that week, and using the Gaza agreement as a “model” for the approach.
The leak shows the United States and Russia were already discussing, behind the scenes, the outline of a joint “peace framework” for Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff: Hi Yuri.
Yuri Ushakov: Yes Steve, hello, how are you?
SW: I’m well, Yuri. And you?
YU: I’m fine. Congratulations, my friend.
SW: Thank you.
YU: You did an excellent job — truly excellent. Thank you very much.
SW: Thank you, Yuri, and thank you for your support. I know your country supported it.
YU: Yes, that’s why we suspended preparations for the first Russia–Arab summit.
SW: Yes.
YU: We believed you were doing the real work in the region.
SW: Listen. If we manage to settle the Russia–Ukraine issue, everyone will be celebrating.
YU: Yes, yes… you only need to solve one problem!
SW: I know. How do we solve it?
YU: My friend, I want your advice. Would a call between our leaders help?
SW: Yes, it would.
YU: And when could it happen?
SW: As soon as you propose it — my President will agree.
YU: All right.
SW: Yuri, here’s what I’d recommend.
YU: Yes, please.
SW: Make the call and repeat your congratulations — that you supported this achievement, that you respect the fact he’s a man of peace. That will lead to a very good discussion.
I told the President that your Federation has always wanted a peace agreement — I truly believe that. The challenge is two countries struggling to compromise; once they do, we’ll have peace. I’m thinking of presenting a 20-point peace plan, like we did for Gaza. A “Trump proposal,” 20 points. Perhaps we can do something similar with you.
YU: Yes, that’s something our leaders can discuss. He will congratulate him, he’ll say Mr Trump is a real man of peace — he will say all that.
SW: And listen — here’s what would be great…
YU: I’ll talk to my leader and call you back.
SW: Yes, and perhaps tell President Putin this: Steve and Yuri discussed a similar 20-point peace idea, and maybe this could shift the situation. We’re open to exploring what’s needed for a peace deal.
Between us, I know what peace will need: Donetsk and possibly a land swap. But let’s keep things positive — I think we’ll reach an agreement. And I believe the President will give me a lot of room to negotiate.
YU: I understand…
SW: And if we can create this opening, we can say after the call that you and I had a discussion that could lead to real progress.
YU: All right.
SW: Zelensky is coming to the White House on Friday.
YU: I know.
SW: I’ll attend because they want me there. But ideally, your leader should speak with mine before Friday.
YU: Before — yes?
SW: Correct.
YU: I’ll discuss it with my leader and call you back.
SW: All right, Yuri.
YU: Thank you very much.
SW: Goodbye.
YU: Goodbye.
Additional leaked call between Putin advisers
Bloomberg also reported a shorter call between Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, another senior Putin ally. They discussed an initial draft document outlining Russia’s position regarding Trump’s peace plan. Both men used coded language.
Ushakov: Hello.
Dmitriev: Yuri Viktorovich.
Ushakov: Yes, Kirill Aleksandrovich. I sent everything over. We’ll speak tomorrow.
Dmitriev: Very good. I’ve flown to Saudi Arabia. This feels important — it offers a real path forward.
Ushakov: We need the maximum — otherwise, why send anything?
Dmitriev: Look, we’ll write the document from our own position. I’ll send it informally and make clear it’s unofficial. They won’t adopt our version exactly, but it should end up close.
Ushakov: They might reject it and claim it was agreed with us — that’s my concern.
Dmitriev: No, no — I’ll explain it exactly as you said.
Ushakov: They could distort it later. That risk exists. Well… we’ll see.
Dmitriev: You could speak with Steve about the document later. We’ll handle everything carefully. Thank you, Yuri Viktorovich. Goodbye.
Also read: German Foreign Minister warns: Russia could attack NATO by 2029
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