US controversial peace plan emerged from private discussions with Russian officials - Bloomberg
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The US peace plan unveiled in recent days is the result of several weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations. However, not only Ukraine and its allies were excluded from the talks, but even some key US officials were left out, Bloomberg reports.
Sources told Bloomberg that the document was drafted by Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev during an October meeting in Miami. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, was also involved in the discussions.
Sources said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was only fully briefed late in the evening, and Trump himself learned about the plan at the last minute. Once informed, he approved it.
Bloomberg also reported additional details about the plan. Consultations are currently underway in Geneva to revise the document due to several contentious points.
Republican Senator Mike Rounds said that on the way to Geneva, Rubio told Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen that the 28-point plan was actually a proposal from Russia.
"It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan," Rubio said.
Although later, the Secretary of State clarified that the peace proposal was developed by the United States and that it offers a solid foundation for negotiations.
US peace plan and its revisions
Earlier this week, the United States unveiled a 28-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Under its terms, Ukraine would withdraw from Donbas, reduce the size of its Armed Forces, give up long-range weapons, and comply with several additional conditions. In return, the country would receive security guarantees akin to NATO's and regain limited portions of occupied regions, including Kharkiv, Sumy, and Mykolaiv.
Yesterday, European leaders said the proposal could serve as a basis for peace but requires significant revisions. An updated version has already been sent from Europe to Washington.
Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Kyiv, requiring agreement to the terms by November 27. He later clarified that the proposal is not final and remains subject to adjustment.
Discussions on the American plan are ongoing in Switzerland with participation from Ukraine, the United States, and European representatives. The parties are working to revise the document to make it more favorable to Kyiv.
Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said that the current draft of the document, whose amendments are still under discussion, already incorporates most of Ukraine's key priorities.
For more on what is happening in Geneva, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
