WASHINGTON — Discussions between Donald Trump’s envoy to Russia and a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin reveal strategies for enhancing diplomatic relations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A recent report indicated that Steve Witkoff, who serves as Trump’s chief emissary, provided suggestions on how Putin could present a peace proposal to the U.S. president.

In a call from mid-October, Witkoff advised Yuri Ushakov to initiate contact with Trump by commending him for a recent peace deal in Gaza and to frame himself as a peacemaker. According to a transcript shared by Bloomberg News, Witkoff expressed that such a dialogue could pave the way for a positive exchange between the two leaders.

Ushakov, when approached by Russian media for comment, neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the transcript but insisted the information had not been leaked by the Kremlin. He suggested that the timing of the release might aim to disrupt U.S.-Russia relations rather than enhance them. Furthermore, he refrained from discussing the specifics of his conversations with Witkoff, emphasizing their confidential nature.

The context for this diplomatic maneuvering coincided with Trump’s announcement on Tuesday regarding a revised proposal for peace in Ukraine. He stated that he was planning to send Witkoff to meet with Putin to discuss the initiative further. The White House has not contested the content of the published transcript, and Trump characterized Witkoff’s tactics as typical of any negotiator.

However, reactions within Congress have been mixed. Republican Representative Don Bacon from Nebraska criticized Witkoff’s approach, questioning his trustworthiness in representing U.S. interests and suggesting that he should be dismissed from his role.

The report highlights that Witkoff’s call to Ushakov occurred shortly after Trump visited Israel and Egypt to celebrate the Gaza ceasefire, demonstrating a flurry of diplomatic activity surrounding recent events. Witkoff reportedly proposed an idea where Putin could mention a shared plan for peace during a call with Trump, further solidifying their bond and promoting goodwill.

The subsequent conversation between Trump and Putin occurred just prior to Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where discussions on the war in Ukraine took a contentious turn. Trump suggested that both nations should halt hostilities, implying that Ukraine should concede territory to Russia.

Further interactions between Russian officials, including Kirill Dmitriev, a key advisor to Putin, highlighted ongoing negotiations regarding potential peace terms. These discussions reportedly focused on how strongly Russia should advocate for their interests in the peace talks, following a meeting Dmitriev had in Florida with Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

As the proposed peace plan comes under scrutiny, critics have labeled it disproportionately favorable to Russian demands, including stipulations that would see Ukraine surrender territory and reduce its military capabilities. The plan’s details have sparked bipartisan backlash in Washington, leading Secretary of State Marco Rubio to assert that the proposal was developed with significant input from both Russia and Ukraine.

Dmitriev dismissed claims of the transcript’s authenticity as misleading, suggesting that improvements in talks trigger more resistance from those advocating for conflict. The Russian Embassy in Washington has not commented on the situation, and the State Department declined to address inquiries regarding the report.

Amid these developments, Trump announced plans for Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to meet with Ukrainian officials while Witkoff engages with Russian counterparts. Trump also hinted at the possibility of future negotiations involving both Putin and Zelenskyy, indicating an ongoing commitment to advancing dialogue once preliminary agreements are achieved.