Witkoff delays visit to Putin after Russia rejects US-Ukraine peace plan – FT
Photo: Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin (collage RBC-Ukraine)
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has refused to discuss a peace plan developed by US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff in coordination with Ukraine and Europe. As a result, Witkoff postponed his planned trip to meet with Putin, the Financial Times informs.
According to three individuals familiar with the discussions, Witkoff learned of Putin’s unwillingness to talk about the peace plan from senior Russian officials. Witkoff subsequently postponed his scheduled visit to Putin this week. However, a person close to him claims that no such trip had been planned in the first place.
The plan Witkoff sought to discuss consists of 22 points. These same points were previously discussed by Ukrainian and US officials during a phone call.
From the Ukrainian side, the call included Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. On the US side, participants were Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg.
In Europe, doubts have also been raised about Donald Trump’s strategy on Russia.
"Putin is doing just enough to convince Trump that he is engaged in this effort to find peace in Ukraine, while also doing as much as possible to make sure it goes nowhere. And Trump is falling for it," said a senior European diplomat involved in talks among Western capitals.
Ukraine peace plan
Earlier, media reported that the US, Europe, and Ukraine had drafted a list of conditions consisting of 22 points aimed at ending the war. Witkoff was expected to deliver the proposal to Putin.
This initiative was developed in response to a previous US plan that proposed freezing the war and effectively recognizing Russian control over the occupied territories.
Before that, Kellogg had claimed that Ukraine had allegedly agreed to 22 specific conditions from the US to end the war with Russia.
