LONDON and KYIV, Ukraine — The Kremlin’s prime international coverage aide, Yury Ushakov, confirmed there’s a “preliminary settlement” for U.S. President Donald Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff — and sure Jared Kushner — to go to Moscow subsequent week, because the White Home claims momentum towards a doable Ukraine-Russia peace plan.
“As for Witkoff, I can say {that a} preliminary settlement has been reached that he’ll go to Moscow subsequent week,” Ushakov mentioned in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin for this system “Moscow. Kremlin. Putin,” broadcast on Wednesday.
“We’ve got agreed to fulfill with Mr. Witkoff. I hope he is not going to come alone, however shall be accompanied by different representatives of the American staff who’re engaged on the Ukrainian file, after which we are going to start discussions,” Ushakov added.
Witkoff, Ushakov mentioned, will “undoubtedly” meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin if he involves Moscow subsequent week.
The interview got here after Bloomberg printed excerpts of a recording of purported telephone name between Witkoff and Ushakov, during which Trump’s envoy appeared to supply steerage on how Putin ought to current the Kremlin’s plan to finish the struggle to Trump.
Ushakov appeared to verify the decision occurred however declined to remark. Ushakov additionally alleged that the leak was meant to undermine the continued peace efforts.
“I converse with Witkoff very often, however I don’t touch upon the substance of our conversations as a result of they’re confidential. Nobody ought to touch upon them, truly,” he mentioned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and presidential aide Yury Ushakov attend a gathering on the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 18, 2025.
Ramil Sitdikov/Reuters
The reported leak was “most likely” meant to “hinder” discussions, Ushakov mentioned. “It’s unlikely that that is being executed to enhance relations. They’re now being established, with problem, by means of contacts of this type, together with by phone.”
Ushakov denied that Russia leaked the decision. “Somebody is leaking them, somebody is listening in, nevertheless it’s not us,” he mentioned.
Trump had already informed reporters on Tuesday that his envoy would journey to Russia. “Now, Steve Witkoff goes over perhaps with Jared. I am undecided about Jared going, however he is concerned within the course of, good man, and they’ll be assembly with President Putin, I imagine, subsequent week in Moscow,” he mentioned.
Pressed on the Bloomberg report and considerations that Witkoff was too sympathetic to Russia’s maximalist struggle targets, Trump replied, “No, however that is a typical factor, you understand, as a result of he is acquired to promote this to Ukraine. He is acquired to promote Ukraine to Russia. That is what he is, that is what a deal maker does.”
“You bought to say, look, they need this. You have to persuade him with this. You realize, that is a really normal type of negotiation. I have not heard it, however I heard it was normal negotiation, and I’d think about he is saying the identical factor to Ukraine, as a result of every celebration has to offer and take,” Trump added.
A communal employee sweeps off particles in entrance of a residential constructing that was broken throughout Russian strikes, November 25, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Elise Blanchard/Getty Photographs
Requested whether or not Witkoff was “too pro-Russia,” Trump didn’t reply immediately. He as a substitute mentioned {that a} deal could be helpful for each side, whereas showing to speak up Russia’s navy capabilities.
“I believe, look, this struggle may go on for years, and Russia’s acquired much more folks, much more troopers,” Trump mentioned. “So I believe if Ukraine could make a deal, it is a good factor. I believe it is nice for each. Frankly, I believe it is nice for each.”
Weekend talks in Geneva, Switzerland, noticed American, European and Ukrainian officers meet to debate the controversial U.S.-backed peace plan proposal put to Kyiv final week, with phrases critics say would have constituted a Ukrainian capitulation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned final week the blueprint “may additionally type the premise for a ultimate peace settlement,” and recommended it aligned carefully with the outcomes of his assembly with Trump in Alaska in August.
On Monday, a Ukrainian official near the matter informed ABC Information that the unique 28-point draft had been revised right down to 19 factors after the Geneva talks, with each American and Ukrainian representatives framing the Geneva talks as productive.
TOPSHOT – U.S. and Ukrainian officers talk about a U.S. plan to finish the struggle in Ukraine on the U.S. Mission in Geneva, on Nov. 23, 2025. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Geneva on November 23, 2025 morning for discussions on a US plan to finish the Ukraine struggle, after Washington signaled room for negotiation on the controversial proposal. Ukrainian, European and Canadian officers had been additionally gathering within the Swiss metropolis. (Picture by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Tuesday that the Geneva talks produced a “framework,” including Kyiv is “prepared to maneuver ahead collectively — with america of America, with private engagement of President Trump, and with Europe.”
“I’m prepared to fulfill with President Trump,” Zelenskyy continued. “There are delicate factors to debate,” he mentioned.
After the Geneva conferences, a U.S. delegation held extra talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi within the United Arab Emirates. A U.S. official informed ABC Information on Tuesday, “The Ukrainians have agreed to the peace deal … There are some minor particulars to be sorted out however they’ve agreed to a peace deal.”
A supply acquainted with the discussions confirmed to ABC Information that Ukraine agreed to the brand new 19-point peace plan throughout the talks in Geneva, not in Abu Dhabi.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump didn’t elaborate on which points are nonetheless to be agreed with Kyiv. “Normal issues,” Trump mentioned when requested. “However persons are beginning to notice it is a whole lot for each events in the event that they acquired to cease the struggle, they’re dropping lots of people, a number of troopers, principally troopers.”
President Donald Trump arrives on the South Garden of the White Home, November 22, 2025 in Washington.
John McDonnell/Getty Photographs
Pressed about Ukraine ceding land to Russia, Trump hinted at land swaps and referred to as the general course of “difficult” and mentioned it “would not go that shortly.”
Trump additionally didn’t say what concessions Moscow is being requested to make. “They’re making concessions. They’re massive concessions. You say cease combating, and so they do not take any extra land once more,” the president mentioned.
As to future safety ensures for Ukraine, Trump mentioned the problem is being mentioned with European international locations. “Europe shall be largely concerned in that,” he mentioned. “We’re working that out with Europe. Europe actually needs to see it finish, if doable.”
Moscow is but to formally touch upon the brand new 19-point plan. However Russian Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Tuesday that “if the spirit and letter of Anchorage are eliminated by way of the important thing understandings that we’ve established, then, after all, it will likely be a basically completely different scenario.”
In his interview with Zarubin broadcast on Wednesday, Ushakov mentioned the brand new plan was “handed on to us,” as quoted by Russia’s state-run Tass information company. However the Kremlin aide added that the plan “hasn’t been mentioned intimately with anybody but.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, in the meantime, informed reporters on Wednesday it’s “too early to say” that the opponents could also be nearing a deal, in response to Tass.
ABC Information’ Luis Martinez, Hannah Demissie and Anna Sergeeva contributed to this report.
