A phone conversation between US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and senior Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov last month sheds new light on behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that preceded the emergence of a 28-point US peace proposal for Ukraine, according to recordings reviewed by Bloomberg.

The Oct. 14 call, which lasted just over five minutes, reportedly captured Witkoff encouraging Russia to work jointly on a peace roadmap similar to the “20-point” plan the US had recently advanced for Gaza. He also advised Ushakov on how Russian President Vladimir Putin could raise the matter directly with Donald Trump.

The call came at a time when Trump — buoyed by the Gaza hostage deal and his historic address to the Israeli Knesset on Oct. 13 — was also weighing new sanctions on Moscow and considering providing longer-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. “I don’t know why he continues with this war… it’s making him look very bad,” Trump had said on the same day the Witkoff-Ushakov call took place.

Advice on setting up a Trump–Putin call

During the call, Witkoff reportedly told Ushakov that Putin should congratulate Trump on the Gaza agreement, describe him as “a real peace man,” and propose a similar initiative for Ukraine.

Witkoff suggested the call take place before Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s scheduled White House visit on Oct. 17, adding, “Zelenskiy is coming to the White House on Friday… I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.”

Ushakov responded that Putin “will congratulate” Trump and appeared receptive to raising a joint peace plan idea.

The two leaders then spoke on Oct. 16 for two and a half hours at Russia’s request, with Trump afterward calling the conversation “very productive” and announcing plans for a future meeting in Budapest.

Timeline of engagements

  • Oct. 13: Trump addresses the Israeli Knesset
  • Oct. 14: Witkoff speaks with Ushakov
  • Oct. 16: Trump–Putin call
  • Oct. 17: Zelenskiy visits the White House
  • Oct. 24–26: Witkoff meets Kremlin adviser Kirill Dmitriev in Miami
  • Oct. 29: Dmitriev and Ushakov discuss Russia’s negotiation strategy

Russian deliberations and the evolving peace blueprint

Bloomberg also reviewed a separate Oct. 29 recording in which Ushakov and Dmitriev debated how hard Russia should push its demands in any proposal submitted to Washington. Ushakov pushed for “the maximum,” fearing the US might dilute the proposals. Dmitriev suggested sharing a draft informally and expressed confidence the US would adopt something close to Russia’s position.

Russia has since said it received the US’s 28-point peace proposal and considers it a potential basis for settlement. It remains unclear how closely the final blueprint reflects Russian inputs.

Pressure on Ukraine

According to Bloomberg, Ukraine has been under intense pressure from Washington to accept the proposed framework. At one point, US officials reportedly threatened to suspend critical intelligence support if Kyiv refused. Following talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukraine is said to have secured some concessions and a slowing of the process.

The initial terms envisaged Ukraine withdrawing from parts of Donbas that Russia has failed to seize militarily, with the area converted into a demilitarised buffer zone recognised as Russian. The proposal also implied de facto recognition of Russian control over Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk, while effectively freezing the rest of the front line.

Zelenskiy and European partners have insisted the ceasefire must occur along existing lines of control.

Call hints at territorial assumptions

During the Oct. 14 call, Witkoff reportedly told Ushakov, “I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done — Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere.” He added that the US president would give him “a lot of space and discretion” to work toward a settlement.

The White House and the Kremlin have not commented on the reported recordings.