Citing a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call, Bloomberg writes that Witkoff, speaking to Ushakov, floated a joint “20-point” peace framework modeled on a recent Gaza ceasefire agreement. He urged Ushakov to encourage Putin to raise the idea directly with Trump.
“I would make the call [to Trump] and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on this achievement [Gaza ceasefire], that you supported it, you supported it, that you respect that he is a man of peace and you’re just, you’re really glad to have seen it happen,” Witkoff told Ushakov. “So I would say that. I think from that it’s going to be a really good call.”
Additionally, the U.S. envoy suggested Putin’s call should come before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House on Oct. 17.
“And here’s one more thing: Zelenskyy is coming to the White House on Friday [Oct. 17],” Witkoff said.
“I will go to that meeting [between Zelenskyy and Trump] because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss [Putin] before that Friday meeting.”
On Nov. 23, Bloomberg reported that Witkoff and Dmitriev drafted the 28-point plan during a meeting in Miami. According to Ukrainian officials, Zelenskyy received the plan on Nov. 20 and intends to discuss it with Trump soon. Reuters reported that Washington has signaled Ukraine must accept the framework.
Axios published the plan’s details, which call for Ukraine to cede more land to Russia, limit its armed forces to 600,000 troops, rule out joining NATO, declare amnesty for any and all war crimes perpetrators, and make Russian a second official language.
European leaders have denounced the proposal, viewing it as a de facto Ukrainian capitulation.