Moscow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Kremlin officials confirmed the latest US-proposed Ukraine peace plan needs careful review and was not discussed during the Abu Dhabi meetings this week.
As reported by Reuters, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia needs to conduct “serious analysis” of the Ukraine peace plan, while confirming it was not raised in talks with American officials during this week’s Abu Dhabi meeting.
What did Yuri Ushakov say about the Russia-Ukraine intelligence meeting?
Yuri Ushakov said Russian intelligence officials held meetings in the Gulf with Ukrainian counterparts to address “highly sensitive matters,” including prisoner exchanges.
He said the talks with the US official were unplanned and confirmed that Washington’s draft peace plan was not addressed, though he offered no details on what was discussed.
Mr Ukshakov added,
“No, the peace plan was not discussed in Abu Dhabi. The peace plan has not yet been discussed in detail with anyone. We saw it, it was passed on to us, but there haven’t been any discussions yet.”
The Kremlin aide said the proposals needed
“truly serious analysis, serious discussion. Some aspects can be viewed positively, but many require specialised discussion among experts.”
Mr Ushakov confirmed that Moscow has received the latest US proposal on Ukraine, apparently updated after the Geneva and Abu Dhabi talks.
Commenting on Europe’s participation in Ukraine peace talks as “completely unnecessary,” the Kremlin directly contradicted earlier statements by EU official Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
He said,
“The Europeans meddling in all these affairs is, as I see it, completely unnecessary.”
How did Steve Witkoff advise Russia ahead of Donald Trump- Vladimir Putin talks?
According to a leaked call, US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, told Yuri Ushakov last month that peace in Ukraine would likely require Russia to secure Donetsk and possibly engage in a separate territorial exchange.
Mr Witkoff reportedly instructed a Russian aide on flattering President Trump in peace negotiations.
According to the leaked call, Mr Witkoff advised Kremlin aides to “congratulate” President Trump on his Gaza deal before raising demands on Ukraine. He also expressed “deep respect” for Russia’s president and outlined what Vladimir Putin should say in a call to Mr Trump.
The call took place on October 14 and prompted President Trump to speak with Mr Putin a day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s White House visit, during which he was expected to deliver Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
The Bloomberg reported that Mr Witkoff told Mr Ushakov during a call,
“Yuri, here’s what I would do. My recommendation. I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on this achievement, that you supported it… that you respect that he is a man of peace and you’re just, you’re really glad to have seen it happen. So I would say that. I think from that it’s going to be a really good call.”
When asked about the leaked call, Mr Ushakov said he plans to raise the matter with Mr Witkoff, calling the leak “unacceptable.”
He added, “
About the leak? We will exchange opinions by phone.”
President Trump defended his peace envoy, Mr Witkoff, after reports claimed he advised Mr Putin’s aide on how to conduct discussions with the US president.
Mr Trump added,
“That’s a standard thing. He’s gotta sell this to Ukraine, he’s gotta sell Ukraine to Russia. That’s what a dealmaker does … I haven’t heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiation. And I would imagine he’s saying the same thing to Ukraine, because each party has to give and take.”
What did Von der Leyen say about Russia’s willingness to end the war?
EU chief Von der Leyen said any peace deal must include Ukraine, Europe, and NATO. She called for the return of all Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, saying Europe will not forget them.
She warned that the days ahead are dangerous and the situation is complex, but she expressed cautious optimism for progress.
The European Commission president added,
“So far, we have seen no signs from Russia of true willingness to end this conflict. So we have to keep up the pressure on Russia, but it is also our duty to engage with any and all efforts that can bring about a just and lasting peace.”
She continued,
“We know it will not be easy, but we have to find a way to move forward. We have to find a way to stop the killing, to help Ukraine rebuild and reconstruct, to return the children and reunite families. We have to find a way to provide lasting security for Ukraine and for our continent as a whole, and above all … to forge a better future, a European future, for Ukraine.”
What is the US’s proposed Ukraine peace plan?
The proposed US peace plan for Ukraine has been a 28-point draft that has undergone revisions.
Under the plan, Ukraine would recognize Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as Russian territory and freeze the conflict lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, ceding control of these occupied regions.
The proposal says Ukraine would constitutionally renounce NATO membership, cap its military size, and NATO would agree not to station troops in Ukraine.
It adds US and allies would provide security guarantees, promising a “decisive coordinated military response” and reinstatement of sanctions if Russia reinvades.
The plan calls for Russian sanctions to be lifted in stages, with frozen Russian assets used for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Russia would also be reinvited to the G8.
It also includes a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, Ukrainian elections within 100 days, and amnesty for actions during the war.