The Kremlin announced today that Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s envoy, and other key American officials will arrive in Moscow next week. They aim to discuss a potential peace plan for Ukraine.
Trump reports progress in negotiations
Trump, speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One en route to Florida for Thanksgiving, stated that American negotiators make progress in talks with Russia and Ukraine. He added that Moscow agreed to some concessions.
A US-based framework to end the war, first mentioned last week, raises new concerns that the Trump administration may pressure Ukraine to sign a peace agreement that heavily favours Moscow’s wishes.
Ushakov confirms preliminary agreement
“As for Witkoff, I can say that we reached a preliminary agreement for him to come to Moscow next week,” Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy advisor, told Pavel Zarubin, the top Kremlin-accredited journalist for Russian state television.
Ushakov noted that, besides Witkoff, a number of other US government representatives handling Ukrainian affairs will also travel to Moscow.
Leaked call seen as sabotage attempt
Ushakov further claimed that the leak of a phone conversation between him and Witkoff aimed to obstruct talks on a possible peace agreement for Ukraine.
Bloomberg News reported that, during a 14 October phone call with Ushakov, Witkoff suggested they work together on a ceasefire plan for Ukraine. He added that Putin should then present it to Trump.
Bloomberg stated that it reviewed a recording of the conversation and published the call’s content.
When asked why the call leaked, Ushakov replied: “Likely to obstruct. It is unlikely this happened to improve relations.”
Also read: Bloomberg: How Trump’s Ukraine plan was “born”
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@sigmaliveen.
