Alleged Witkoff-Kremlin call on Ukraine was 'standard negotiation,' Trump says

LONDON and KYIV, Ukraine -- The Kremlin's top foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, confirmed there is a "preliminary agreement" for U.S.President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff -- and likely Jared Kushner -- to visit Moscow next week, as the White House claims momentum toward a possible Ukraine-Russia peace plan."As for Witkoff, I can say that a preliminary agreement has been reached that he will visit Moscow next week," Ushakov said in an interview with journalist Pavel Zarubin for the program "Moscow.

Kremlin.Putin," broadcast on Wednesday."We have agreed to meet with Mr.

Witkoff.I hope he will not come alone, but will be accompanied by other representatives of the American team who are working on the Ukrainian dossier, and then we will begin discussions," Ushakov added.Witkoff, Ushakov said, will "definitely" meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin if he comes to Moscow next week.The interview came after Bloomberg published excerpts of a recording of purported phone call between Witkoff and Ushakov, in which Trump's envoy appeared to offer guidance on how Putin should present the Kremlin's plan to end the war to Trump.Ushakov appeared to confirm the call happened but declined to comment.

Ushakov also alleged that the leak was intended to undermine the ongoing peace efforts."I speak with Witkoff quite often, but I do not comment on the substance of our conversations because they are confidential.No one should comment on them, actually," he said.Russian President Vladimir Putin and presidential aide Yury Ushakov attend a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Nov.

18, 2025.Ramil Sitdikov/ReutersUS official says Ukrainian delegation has agreed with US on terms of potential peace dealThe reported leak was "probably" intended to "hinder" discussions, Ushakov said."It is unlikely that this is being done to improve relations.

They are now being established, with difficulty, through contacts of this kind, including by telephone."Ushakov denied tha...