As formal talks remain stalled, a new, backchannel diplomatic effort is underway to find a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The initiative, reportedly led by close advisor to former President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, and a confidant of Vladimir Putin, is raising eyebrows due to its exclusion of both Ukrainian and European officials from initial discussions . The effort centers around a 28-point plan,coming as Russian forces make recent territorial gains,and raises questions about the future direction of negotiations and the role of the United States.
Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have stalled, but a new effort is reportedly underway – one that excludes both Kyiv and European involvement.
November 19, 2025, 2:53 PMNovember 19, 2025, 4:35 PM
Peter Riesbeck / t-online
Steve Witkoff, a close advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, is reportedly playing a key role in the new diplomatic push. Witkoff previously acted as an intermediary during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and now, according to Axios, he has been holding secret meetings with Kirill Dmitriev, a confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at a meeting in Vietnam in 2017. (Archive image)Image: EPA/SPUTNIK POOL
A Ukrainian official confirmed to the news outlet that “we know the Americans are working on something.” According to information obtained by Axios, the effort centers around a 28-point plan for Ukraine. Trump’s 20-point plan is credited with significantly contributing to the end of the war in Gaza.
While specific details remain unclear, the plan reportedly focuses on four key objectives: security guarantees for Ukraine, broader European security, the future of U.S.-Russia relations, and the relationship between Washington and Kyiv.
Trump’s stance on Putin’s war in Ukraine has shifted over time. He initially claimed he could end the conflict within “24 hours,” then called for freezing the war along the current front lines. Following an unproductive meeting with Putin in Alaska in August, Trump briefly signaled a more supportive stance toward Kyiv, but recently increased pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to concede territory to Russia. “Let him have what he wants,” Trump reportedly said regarding the future of the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff (r.) and Kirill Dmitriev are said to be working on the secret deal. (Archive image)Image: keystone
Russian forces have recently reported territorial gains around the city of Pokrovsk, and Dmitriev is reportedly leveraging these developments in discussions with Witkoff. The development underscores the evolving dynamics of the conflict and potential shifts in diplomatic strategies.
Meeting with Zelenskyy Postponed
A meeting between Witkoff and Zelenskyy in Turkey was reportedly scheduled for Wednesday but was abruptly canceled.
According to Axios, initial discussions regarding the 28-point plan are already underway with U.S. partners in Europe. While details remain scarce, it appears that European nations are currently excluded from this initiative. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously called for a joint effort with French President Emmanuel Macron, and later independently, to explore the possibility of deploying Western security forces to Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a “position of strength” in any potential negotiations with Moscow.
Axios reports that the American-Russian 28-point plan does not align with Starmer’s proposals. Dmitriev was quoted as saying he feels “that our position is really being heard.”
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