Moscow Holds Firm as U.S.-Brokered Peace Framework Emerges
Russian officials stated Wednesday that they will not accept significant concessions as part of any Ukraine peace agreement, following the leak of a phone call in which U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff was reportedly heard advising Moscow on how to present a plan to former President Donald Trump.
Witkoff, a longtime Trump associate, is expected to travel to Moscow in the coming days for further discussions. Reports indicate that he may be joined by Jared Kushner, who previously helped broker Middle East negotiations.
Leaked Call Sparks Concern
A transcript of a private call between Witkoff and Russian official Yuri Ushakov was leaked to media outlets. In the call, Witkoff allegedly offered guidance on how Russian negotiators could frame their proposals to gain Trump’s support. The disclosure, reportedly involving WhatsApp communications, has sparked backlash in both Washington and Kyiv.
Moscow described the leak as a “hybrid warfare tactic” aimed at undermining diplomatic progress. Russian state media speculated about who may have exposed the call, with headlines asking, “Who set up Steve Witkoff?”
Trump dismissed concerns about the leak, calling Witkoff’s actions standard for high-stakes dealmaking.
Peace Proposal Faces Resistance from Ukraine and Europe
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled openness to a U.S.-backed peace framework but insisted that discussions must involve Ukraine’s European allies. Leaked elements of the plan have raised alarms in Kyiv and across NATO-aligned capitals.
Concerns include:
- A proposed ban on Ukraine’s future NATO membership
- Recognition of Russian control over approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory
- A limit on the size and scope of Ukraine’s military forces
Despite Trump’s assertion that “progress is being made,” Ukrainian officials view the proposal as overly favorable to Moscow, particularly given recent Russian advances.
Kremlin Rejects Pressure for Compromise
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said flatly that Moscow would not back down on core demands. “There can be no question of concessions,” he told reporters in Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed that position, saying it was too soon to suggest that any peace deal was imminent.
Battlefield Dynamics Continue
Russian forces currently control over 19% of Ukrainian territory, with 2025 marking the most significant territorial gains since early in the war. However, Ukraine maintains that those gains have come at great cost to Russia and do not change the illegitimacy of the initial 2022 invasion.
Moscow continues to frame the conflict as a geopolitical response to NATO’s post-Cold War expansion. President Vladimir Putin has long claimed that Western actions undermined Russian security interests following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Next Steps in Negotiations
With Witkoff scheduled to meet Putin next week, observers are watching closely to see whether any viable path to de-escalation emerges. For now, both sides remain entrenched, and any agreement appears distant.
Kushner’s involvement—given his past diplomatic successes—adds a layer of intrigue to the process, but the situation remains highly fluid.
Related Coverage
- Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
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