US Special Representative Steve Witkoff called Putin's advisor Yuri Ushakov in October and proposed working together on a plan for Ukraine, while also advising how Putin should talk to Trump about it. This was reported by Bloomberg, which obtained recordings of the conversations.
In a five-minute conversation on October 14, Witkoff proposed to Ushakov: "We put together a 20-point Trump plan that included 20 points for peace (in Gaza), and I think maybe we'll do the same thing with you." The American diplomat also advised how Putin should raise this topic in conversation with Trump.
Witkoff recommended that Putin organize a call to Trump before Zelensky's visit to the White House that week. "Zelensky is coming to the White House on Friday. I'll be there because they want me there, but I think if possible, we'll have a call with your boss before that Friday meeting," he told Ushakov.
The American envoy also suggested Putin use the Gaza agreement as a starting point: "Maybe he'll tell President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point peace plan, and this could be something that we think could move things off dead center a little bit."
During the conversation, Witkoff directly stated his expectations from the deal: "Between you and me, I know what it takes to get a peace agreement. Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere." He added: "The President will give me a lot of space and discretionary authority to get an agreement."
Bloomberg also obtained a recording of another conversation from October 29 between Ushakov and another Putin advisor Kirill Dmitriev, where they discussed Moscow's strategy regarding negotiations. Ushakov insisted on "maximum" demands in proposals to the White House, fearing that the US might misinterpret any proposals.
Between these two conversations, a meeting took place between Witkoff and Dmitriev in Miami in late October, which Dmitriev told Axios about.
Putin stated this month that the American plan could be a basis for a peace settlement. Ukraine meanwhile found itself under pressure to accept the 28-point proposal that Witkoff developed with help from Kremlin colleagues.
Transcript of telephone conversation between Steve Witkoff and Yuri Ushakov from October 14, 2025
[phone rings]
Steve Witkoff: Hey, Yuri.
Yuri Ushakov: Yes, Steve, hello, how are you?
SW: Good, Yuri. How are you?
YU: I'm fine. Greetings, my friend.
SW: Thanks.
YU: You did an excellent job. Just an excellent job. Many thanks. Thanks, thanks.
SW: Thank you, Yuri, and thank you for your support. I know your country supported this, and I'm grateful to you.
YU: Yes, yes, yes. Yes. You know, that's exactly why we postponed holding the first Russian-Arab summit.
SW: Yeah.
YU: Yes, because we believe you're doing real work there in the region.
SW: Listen. I'll tell you something. I think, I think that if we can solve this Russian-Ukrainian thing, everyone will be jumping for joy.
YU: Yes, yes, yes. Yes, you need to solve just one problem. [laughs]
SW: What?
YU: The Russian-Ukrainian war.
SW: I know! How do we solve it?
YU: My friend, I just want your advice. Do you think it would be helpful if our bosses talked on the phone?
SW: Yes, I do.
YU: You think. And when do you think it would be possible?
SW: I think as soon as you propose it, my guy is ready to do it.
YU: Okay, okay.
SW: Yuri, Yuri, here's what I would do. My recommendation.
YU: Yes, please.
SW: I would make the call and just repeat that you're congratulating the president on this achievement, that you supported it, you supported it, that you respect that he's a man of peace, and you're just, you're really glad to see this happened. So I would say that. I think after that there will be a really good conversation.
Because — let me tell you what I told the president. I told the president that you — that the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace agreement. That's my belief. I told the president I believe that. And I believe the question is — the problem is that we have two nations that have a hard time compromising, and when we do, we'll have a peace agreement. I even think that maybe we would put out something like a 20-point peace proposal, just like we did in Gaza. We put together a 20-point Trump plan that included 20 points for peace, and I think maybe we'll do the same thing with you. My opinion is...
YU: Okay, okay, my friend. I think that's exactly the point our leaders could discuss. Hey, Steve, I agree with you that he'll congratulate, he'll say that Mr. Trump is a true man of peace and so on. He'll say that.
SW: But here's what I think would be amazing.
YU: Okay, okay.
SW: What if, what if... hear me out...
YU: I'll discuss this with my boss and then get back to you. Okay?
SW: Yes, because listen to what I'm saying. I just want you to say, maybe just say this to President Putin, because, you know, I have the deepest respect for President Putin.
YU: Yes, yes.
SW: Maybe he'll tell President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point peace plan, and this could be something that we think could move things off dead center a little bit, we're open to such things — exploring what it takes to get a peace agreement. Now, between you and me, I know what it takes to get a peace agreement: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere. But I'm saying, instead of talking like that, let's talk more optimistically, because I think we'll reach an agreement here. And I think, Yuri, the President will give me a lot of space and discretionary authority to get an agreement.
YU: I understand...
SW: ...so if we can create an opportunity that after this I talked to Yuri, and we had a conversation, I think that could lead to big things.
YU: Okay, that sounds good. Sounds good.
SW: And here's one more thing: Zelensky is coming to the White House on Friday.
YU: I know about that. [smiles]
SW: I'm going to that meeting because they want me there, but I think if possible, we'll have a call with your boss before that Friday meeting.
YU: Before, before — yes?
SW: Right.
YU: Okay, okay. I got your advice. So I'll discuss this with my boss and then get back to you, okay?
SW: Okay, Yuri, I'll talk to you soon.
YU: Great, great. Many thanks. Thanks.
SW: Bye, bye.
YU: Bye.
[Call ended]
Also presented is a conversation between Ushakov and Dmitriev:
Ushakov: Hello
Dmitriev: Yuri Viktorovich
Ushakov: Yes, Kirill Alexandrovich, well, I sent everything there. Tomorrow we'll talk there.
Dmitriev: Well great, great. Yes, yes, yes. I flew to Saudi Arabia, but it seems very important to me, yes, because this is a very good way forward.
Ushakov: Well, we need maximum, you think probably, what do you think? Otherwise what to convey?
Dmitriev: No, look. It seems to me, this paper, we'll just make it sort of in our position and I'll just informally directly convey that all this is informal. And let them make it as their own. But I think they won't take exactly our version, but at least as close to it as possible.
Ushakov: Well that's the thing, they might not take it, but say it's agreed with us. That's what I'm afraid of.
Dmitriev: No, no, no. I'll definitely do it right together with you, well as you say word for word, I'll say.
Ushakov: They might twist it later and that's it. Well there is such a danger. There is. Well okay, nothing. We'll see.
Dmitriev: Yes, it seems to me just like that.. And then you can also talk to Steve about this paper. That is, we'll do it carefully.
Ushakov: [unintelligible]
Dmitriev: Thank you very much, Yuri Viktorovich. Thank you very much. Thank you. Goodbye.