Russia’s presidential aide Yury Ushakov told state media on Wednesday that a “preliminary agreement” exists for U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to travel to Moscow next week — and that he would likely meet President Vladimir Putin if the trip goes ahead. Ushakov said he expects Witkoff to be accompanied by other members of the American team working on the Ukraine dossier and that formal discussions would follow. The remarks came amid reports of a leaked recorded phone call and as U.S., Ukrainian and European delegations continue negotiating a U.S.-backed peace proposal that Geneva participants said was trimmed from 28 to 19 points. White House comments and Ukrainian statements this week have signaled momentum toward a possible settlement, even as details and concessions remain contested.
Key takeaways
- Yury Ushakov confirmed a “preliminary agreement” for Steve Witkoff to visit Moscow next week and said Witkoff would “definitely” meet President Putin if he travels, according to a Wednesday broadcast interview.
- Bloomberg published excerpts of a purported phone recording between Witkoff and Ushakov; Ushakov acknowledged speaking with Witkoff often but declined to discuss details and denied that Russia leaked the recording.
- President Trump confirmed Witkoff is expected to travel — possibly with Jared Kushner — and described the envoy’s role as negotiating and “selling” a deal to both sides.
- U.S., Ukrainian and European officials held talks in Geneva on Nov. 23, 2025; participants say the original 28-point draft was pared to 19 points after those sessions.
- A U.S. official told ABC News that “the Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal,” while a separate source said Kyiv accepted the revised 19-point plan in Geneva, though implementation details remain unresolved.
- Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have given cautious statements; Lavrov warned that removing some agreed elements would alter the deal fundamentally.
- Additional follow-up talks took place in Abu Dhabi after Geneva, and U.S. officials continue consultations with European partners on security guarantees for Ukraine.
Background
The discussions come against the backdrop of nearly three years of war following Russia’s February 2023 escalation and extensive international efforts to produce a ceasefire or negotiated settlement. Washington has been promoting a multi-point peace framework that U.S. and some European officials say could end hostilities if both sides accept significant compromises. That proposal has been contentious: critics argue it risks conceding core Ukrainian territorial and sovereignty demands, while proponents say it could halt further bloodshed.
President Trump and President Putin met in Alaska in August 2025, a meeting Moscow has suggested brought some alignment on possible outcomes. The U.S.-backed blueprint that was discussed in Geneva in late November initially had 28 points; participants told reporters and officials that number was refined to 19 points after multilateral consultations. Key stakeholders include Kyiv, Moscow, the United States, NATO and EU partners — each with divergent security, political and domestic constraints that complicate any quick resolution.
Main event
In an interview broadcast Wednesday on the program “Moscow. Kremlin. Putin,” Ushakov said a preliminary agreement was in place for Witkoff to visit Moscow next week and that he hoped Witkoff would be joined by other U.S. representatives working on Ukraine. Ushakov framed the contact as part of ongoing, often confidential channels and signaled that formal talks would begin if the delegation arrives. He also stated that Witkoff would “definitely” meet with President Putin, should the trip occur.
The interview followed publication by Bloomberg of excerpts from a recording said to be a phone call between Ushakov and Witkoff, in which Witkoff appeared to advise how the Kremlin should present its plan to President Trump. Ushakov confirmed he speaks frequently with Witkoff but declined to discuss substantive content, saying conversations are confidential. He suggested the leak was aimed at undermining negotiations and denied that the Kremlin was responsible for the disclosure.
President Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Witkoff would travel “maybe with Jared” and described the envoy’s role as that of a dealmaker, explaining negotiations often require framing positions to each side. Trump also said Europe would be closely involved in arranging security guarantees for Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have described the Geneva outcome as producing a “framework” and said they are prepared to engage further with the United States and Europe; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready to meet with President Trump to discuss sensitive issues.
Analysis & implications
Sending a private or semi-official U.S. envoy to Moscow signals a high-risk, high-reward diplomatic approach. Private envoys can move quickly and relay proposals directly, but they can also create political blowback if details leak or if interlocutors perceive the envoy as lacking formal authority. In this case, the reported recording raises questions about confidentiality and messaging control at a delicate negotiating stage.
The apparent trimming of the U.S. peace blueprint from 28 to 19 points after the Geneva talks suggests negotiators are seeking a more compact, negotiable package — but fewer points do not necessarily mean easier consensus. Key issues remain: territorial arrangements, security guarantees, and enforcement mechanisms. Russia’s public statements — including Lavrov’s warning about removing agreed elements — indicate Moscow still wants safeguards for core outcomes it sees as non-negotiable.
For Kyiv, the political cost of any deal that includes territorial concessions is substantial. Ukrainian officials’ private agreement to a revised plan could reflect battlefield pressures, diplomatic calculations, or assurances on security and reconstruction. European partners will play a central role if security guarantees need multilateral guarantees; that involvement will determine whether any agreement is sustainable and acceptable domestically in Ukraine and across NATO capitals.
Comparison & data
| Item | Original (Geneva start) | Revised (after Geneva) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of points in draft | 28 | 19 |
| Primary venue cited | Geneva (Nov. 23, 2025) | Geneva; follow-ups in Abu Dhabi |
The table captures the known numeric change in the U.S.-backed proposal reported by officials and media. Participants described the revision as a consolidation of the draft to focus on core, negotiable items; however, public detail on the substantive shifts between the drafts remains limited.
Reactions & quotes
Ushakov’s remarks followed a televised interview in which he emphasized confidentiality while confirming contacts with the U.S. envoy and criticizing the leak as counterproductive. The Kremlin aide presented the talks as fragile and requiring discretion.
“I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will visit Moscow next week.”
Yury Ushakov (Kremlin aide)
The White House and President Trump framed the envoy’s trip as part of a negotiation effort, with Trump downplaying concerns about Witkoff’s sympathies and characterizing the envoy’s work as standard dealmaking.
“Now, Steve Witkoff is going over maybe with Jared. I’m not sure about Jared going, but he’s involved in the process.”
President Donald Trump (remarks to reporters)
Ukrainian officials described the Geneva talks as productive and said Kyiv was ready to advance on a framework the parties discussed, while noting many sensitive points remain to be negotiated.
“I am ready to meet with President Trump. There are sensitive points to discuss.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Unconfirmed
- Whether Jared Kushner will accompany Steve Witkoff to Moscow next week is unconfirmed; media and officials have offered varying statements.
- The full content and context of the Bloomberg-published recording have not been independently verified; precise guidance allegedly given in that call remains contested.
- Which exact concessions Russia and Ukraine have agreed to within the revised 19-point draft have not been publicly detailed and remain subject to further negotiation.
- The source and motive behind the leak of the recording are unconfirmed; Ushakov denied Russian responsibility but did not identify an alternative leaker.
Bottom line
The Kremlin’s confirmation of a tentative visit by Steve Witkoff brings a quiet but consequential phase of diplomacy into the open, setting the stage for potentially pivotal direct talks with Moscow. That step underscores both the urgency felt by negotiators to halt fighting and the political fragility of any deal that would require significant concessions and robust enforcement guarantees.
Short-term prospects hinge on whether confidential channels can remain intact long enough to produce firm, multilaterally backed commitments — and whether Kyiv, Moscow and European partners can bridge gaps on territory and security. Observers should expect intense diplomacy in the coming days and continued scrutiny over leaks, messaging and who speaks for the parties involved.