.png)
21 hours ago
11
Article content
“I don’t know why he continues with this war,” Trump said Oct. 14, the same day that Witkoff spoke with Ushakov. “He just doesn’t want to end that war. And I think it’s making him look very bad.”
Article content
During his call with Ushakov, Witkoff told his Russian counterpart that he had deep respect for Putin and that he had told Trump that it was his belief that Russia has always wanted a peace deal. The US envoy mentioned Zelenskiy’s upcoming visit and suggested that Putin could speak to Trump ahead of that meeting.
Article content
Article content
“Zelenskiy is coming to the White House on Friday,” Witkoff said. “I will go to that because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.”
Article content
Ushakov asked Witkoff whether it would be “useful” for Putin to call Trump. Witkoff said it would.
Article content
He also recommended that Putin congratulate Trump for the Gaza peace deal, say that Russia had supported it and that he respects the president as a man of peace. “From that, it’s going to be a really good call,” Witkoff said.
Article content
Article content
“Here’s what I think would be amazing,” Witkoff then added. “Maybe he says to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan to peace and that could be something that we think might move the needle a little bit, we’re open to those sorts of things.”
Article content
Ushakov appeared to take some of the advice on board. Putin “will congratulate” and will say “Mr Trump is a real peace man,” he said.
Article content
Trump and Putin held their call two days later, at Russia’s request, and the US president described the two-and-a-half-hour-long conversation as “very productive.” Afterward, he announced plans to meet with the Russian leader in Budapest, a summit that is yet to take place, and also mentioned that Putin had congratulated him on the Gaza deal.
Article content
Article content
Following up on that call, Witkoff met with Kirill Dmitriev, another senior Kremlin adviser, in Miami, according to an interview that Dmitriev gave to Axios. Dmitriev told Axios he spent three days in Miami from Oct. 24. A spokesperson for Dmitriev declined to comment.
Article content
Article content
On Oct. 29, Dmitriev and Ushakov spoke by phone in Russian and debated how strongly Moscow should push for its demands in any peace proposal, according to another recording reviewed by Bloomberg.
Article content
To read a transcript of this call, click here.
Article content
As the two Putin aides considered various options, Ushakov argued for asking for “the maximum” in their submissions to the White House.
Article content
He said he was concerned the US might misinterpret any proposals and might take something out but then claim there was an agreement, and that would risk the end of the negotiations, he told his colleague.
Article content
Dmitriev, who also heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, suggested sharing a paper informally and said he was confident that even if the US didn’t completely take Russia’s version they would at least do something very close to it.
Article content
He later assured Ushakov that he would stick to what he was told to say, and that Ushakov could also discuss the paper later with “Steve.”
Article content
Article content
Bloomberg has been unable to confirm exactly what proposals Russia shared with the US and the extent to which they shaped the final 28-point blueprint.
Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·