Russian President Vladimir Putin Aide Yuri Ushakov has slammed the leak of a private call with US envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the Ukraine peace deal.
Yuri stated that the leak sought to interfere with efforts to improve relations between Moscow and Washington.
Speaking to Media on Wednesday November 26, Ushakov said he regularly communicates with Witkoff but declined to discuss the content of their conversations.
“I don’t know why they’re so interested in publishing conversations. Why is this being done? In my view, for what purpose? To interfere,” Ushakov said.
“It’s hardly being done to improve relations. Right now, relations are being built, built with difficulty, being built through these kinds of contacts, including telephone ones.”
Ushakov stated that Witkoff, along with several other Trump administration officials involved in Ukrainian affairs, is scheduled to travel to Moscow next week under a preliminary agreement.
Russia’s Top Aide Slams Leaked Call with Trump Envoy on Ukraine Peace Plan
The phone call, disclosed by Bloomberg, involved Witkoff advising senior Kremlin officials, including Ushakov, on how to present a proposed peace plan to US President Donald Trump.
The initial 28-point draft, developed after discussions with Russian officials, was criticized by Ukraine and European allies as effectively conceding to Russia’s demands.
Also Read: Inside Trump’s Latest Blueprint to End the War in Ukraine
The call took place a day after Trump visited Israel and Egypt to celebrate the Gaza ceasefire.
During the conversation, Witkoff suggested ways to present a potential peace plan to Trump, including setting up a direct call between Trump and Putin before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House.
He also proposed that Putin congratulate Trump on the Gaza agreement as a starting point for discussions.
Ushakov confirmed that Putin would do so, adding that he would describe Trump as “a real peace man.”
Also Read: Ukrainian Drone Strike Disrupts Russian Airports as Trump Pushes for Peace Plan
Trump and Putin Meeting
Trump and Putin ultimately spoke a day before Zelensky’s White House visit.
Shortly after meeting with Zelensky on October 17, Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia should “stop where they are” on the battlefield.
White House communications director Steven Cheung defended Witkoff’s role in the leaked call.
“This story proves one thing: Special Envoy Witkoff talks to officials in both Russia and Ukraine nearly every day to achieve peace, which is exactly what President Trump appointed him to do,” he said.
Additionally, on Tuesday, November 25, Trump defended Steve Witkoff.
“That’s a standard thing. He’s gotta sell this to Ukraine, he’s gotta sell Ukraine to Russia. That’s what a dealmaker does. I haven’t heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiation. And I would imagine he’s saying the same thing to Ukraine, because each party has to give and take,” Trump told reporters on board Air Force One.
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