The administration of U.S. president Donald Trump has been engaged in quiet negotiations with Russia over a new proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, Axios reported, citing American and Russian officials.
According to the report, the 28-point roadmap draws inspiration from Trump’s earlier Gaza ceasefire initiative and outlines a broad framework that includes “peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and future U.S. relations with Russia and Ukraine.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, is reportedly spearheading the initiative. A U.S. official told Axios that Witkoff has held extensive discussions with Kirill Dmitriev, a top Russian envoy closely connected to the Kremlin.
Witkoff has also been in communication with Kyiv. He has reportedly spoken with Rustem Umerov, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s national security adviser, and is expected to meet Zelensky personally on Wednesday in Turkey.
Zelensky confirmed he was en route to Ankara for talks aimed at restarting diplomatic engagement with Moscow. Ukraine and Russia have not held face-to-face negotiations since delegations last met in Istanbul in July.
The reported secret diplomacy comes amid growing international pressure for a negotiated settlement, as the war approaches its fourth year with no clear military breakthrough for either side.
