A newly revealed series of communications suggests a U.S.-backed peace proposal for Ukraine may have been heavily influenced by Russia, raising concerns about the origins and impartiality of the ongoing diplomatic efforts [[1]]. Sources indicate a russian “non-paper” outlining potential concessions from Ukraine was shared with the Trump administration months before the 28-point plan emerged, prompting scrutiny of back-channel negotiations and potential Russian leverage [[3]]. As the Biden administration reportedly continues to engage with the proposal, with Zelenskyy indicating a willingness to consider “their vision” for ending the war [[2]], questions linger regarding the extent of Russian input and the potential impact on Ukraine’s sovereignty.
A U.S.-backed peace plan for Ukraine, unveiled last week, appears to have been significantly shaped by a document initially presented to the Trump administration by Russia in October, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The revelation raises questions about the origins of the 28-point proposal and the extent of Russian influence on potential negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.
The Russian document, described as a “non-paper” – an unofficial diplomatic communication – was shared with senior U.S. officials following a meeting between then-President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington, the sources said. It reportedly outlined conditions for ending the war, including territorial concessions from Ukraine that had previously been rejected. This marks the first confirmation that the document, initially reported by Reuters in October, served as a foundational element for the 28-point peace plan.
The State Department, as well as the Russian and Ukrainian embassies in Washington, did not respond to requests for comment. While the White House did not directly address the informal document, it referenced statements made by Trump expressing optimism about the progress of the 28-point plan. “To hopefully finalize this peace plan, I have tasked my special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians,” Trump stated.
The reasons behind the Trump administration’s reliance on the Russian document remain unclear. Some U.S. officials who reviewed it, including Senator Marco Rubio, reportedly believed that the demands put forth by Moscow would likely be unacceptable to Ukraine. According to sources, Rubio subsequently discussed the document in a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Speaking to reporters in Geneva this week, Rubio acknowledged receiving “numerous informal papers written and things of that nature” without elaborating.
Since Axios first reported on the peace plan last week, skepticism has grown among U.S. officials and lawmakers, with many viewing it as reflecting Russian positions rather than a genuine proposal. Despite this, the United States has reportedly pressured Ukraine, warning that military assistance could be reduced if the plan is not signed. The development underscores the complex diplomatic maneuvering surrounding the conflict and the pressure on Ukraine to reach a resolution.
The plan’s development included a meeting last month in Miami between Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Kirill Dmitriev, head of one of Russia’s sovereign wealth funds. According to two sources, few within the State Department and White House were informed of the meeting.
Further details emerged Tuesday, with Bloomberg reporting that Witkoff offered advice to a top Kremlin official, Yuri Ushakov, on how Putin should discuss the plan with Trump. Transcripts of phone calls obtained by the news agency reveal that Ushakov and Witkoff discussed a potential “20-point plan” as early as October 14, which apparently expanded during subsequent conversations with Dmitriev. The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and the search for a viable path to peace.
