Leaked phone calls throw scrutiny on Witkoff’s pro-Kremlin positions (updated)
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Leaked phone calls between top Kremlin aides and Trump peace envoy Steve Witkoff suggest the Russians believed they could launder their positions into a U.S. draft peace plan without the Kremlin committing to it.
Just as President Trump today announced that he was sending Witkoff back to Russia to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bloomberg published the transcript of an October 14 phone call between Witkoff and top Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov.
Witkoff comes off in the call like he favors the Russian side, and is maneuvering to help the Kremlin gain favor with Trump and in the Trump administration’s efforts to advance a Russian/Ukraine peace deal.
In the Oct. 14 call, Ushakov and Witkoff agree that Putin and Trump should hold a phone call before a visit later that week by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House. And Witkoff proposes to the top Kremlin foreign policy advisor how he would advise Putin to butter up Trump, by praising him as a man of peace for the just announced Israel-Gaza peace deal.
“I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on his achievement, that you supported it,” Witkoff proposes to the Kremlin advisor how Putin might flatter Trump. “That you respect he is a man of peace.”
Witkoff also tells the top Kremlin aide that he personally believes Russia wants a peace deal, and reiterates how much he respects Putin.
“I told the president …that the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal,” Witkoff told Ushakov. “That’s my belief. …The issue is that we have two nations that are having a hard time coming to a compromise…Maybe just say this to Pres. Putin, because you know I have the deepest respect for Pres. Putin.”
Witkoff reminds Ushakov that Zelensky is coming to the White House that Friday (Oct. 17), and says it is important that Putin and Trump speak before then.
“I will go to that meeting because they want me there, but I think if possible we have the call with your boss before that Friday meeting.”
Ushakov responds: Before?
Witkoff: Correct.
Ushakov: Ok, ok. I got your advice. So I discuss
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