UPDATE WITH NEW REMARKS BY KREMLIN AIDE, CHANGE IN HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE
By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Moscow has obtained several unofficial versions of Washington’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine, describing the documents as “confusing” and stressing that no formal proposal has been submitted to Russia.
Speaking to VGTRK, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said the papers were received “through unofficial channels,” adding: “There’s no official version, but there is a document. There are several documents. Several options, some of which can even be confusing.”
“Let’s just say we’ve gotten our hands on some of the latest versions—that’s what I think,” he added.
Ushakov also said Russia and the United States remain in contact regarding the broader peace framework but that “no serious discussions” have taken place at the negotiating table.
He confirmed that the new US representative recently met Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi and, unexpectedly, held contact with a Russian representative during the visit.
However, he underlined that Washington’s 28-point plan was not part of the agenda.
“No, the peace plan was not discussed in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “The plan hasn’t been discussed in detail with anyone yet. We’ve seen it; it was passed on to us, but there have been no discussions.”
- US envoy set for Moscow visit
Ushakov also earlier confirmed that a preliminary agreement has been reached for US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Moscow next week, along with several other US officials involved in Ukrainian affairs.
The two sides are “working with difficulty” to build relations, but contacts continue, including by phone, Ushakov said.
“I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that (Witkoff) will come to Moscow next week,” said Ushakov, adding that additional representatives from the US are due to accompany him.
Ushakov also slammed media reports of an alleged transcript of a conversation he had with Witkoff, saying they are seeking to undermine the ongoing dialogue.
“Someone is leaking it, someone is listening in -- but not us,” he said.
He stressed that Russia does not release classified conversations to the press, saying it is “unlikely this is being done to improve relations.”
US President Donald Trump has suggested that progress may be emerging in peace talks following the recent Geneva meeting between senior US and Ukrainian officials, where Washington’s initial 28-point framework was reviewed.
The draft reportedly includes territorial concessions, limits on Ukraine’s military, and the withdrawal of Kyiv’s NATO bid, though no official text has been shared with Moscow.