Kremlin-Witkoff phone call leak intended to 'hinder' peace talks, Putin aide says

Key Concepts

• Steve Witco: US special envoy involved in peace talks.
• Kremlin: The executive branch of the Russian government.
• Peace Talks: Negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
• Leaked Phone Calls: Transcripts of private conversations that have been made public.
• Russian Plan: A peace proposal allegedly originating from Russia.
• Trump Administration: The administration of former US President Donald Trump.
• Yuri Ushakov: Kremlin aide involved in the leaked calls.
• Kirill Dmitriev: Top Kremlin negotiator who met with Steve Witco.

Confirmation of US Envoy's Moscow Visit Amidst Leaked Calls Controversy

A senior Kremlin official has confirmed that US special envoy Steve Witco is scheduled to visit Moscow next week. This visit comes at a time when leaked phone calls are reportedly complicating ongoing peace talks with Ukraine.

Details of Leaked Calls and Allegations

• Bloomberg Report: According to a report by Bloomberg, one of the leaked calls features Witco appearing to coach Russia on how to secure President Trump's support for a peace plan.
• ABC News Verification: ABC News has not independently verified this specific report.
• Accusations of US Favoritism: The leaked calls are fueling accusations that the US is showing undue favoritism towards Russia in the negotiations.

Kremlin Official's Statements and Implicit Confirmation

Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin aide involved in the leaked calls, has spoken to Russian media. He has implicitly confirmed that calls with Steve Witco took place. This includes a call where Witco allegedly advised Ushakov on how to approach President Trump regarding the negotiation of a peace deal. Ushakov also confirmed another leaked call between himself and Kirill Dmitriev, a top Kremlin negotiator who had previously met with Witco in Miami.

Controversy Surrounding the Peace Plan's Origin

A significant reason for the controversy is the ongoing debate about the origin of the peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

• Allegations of Russian Origin: Claims have persisted since the plan's emergence that it was primarily a Russian initiative.
• Trump Administration's Stance: The Trump administration has consistently pushed back against these claims, insisting the plan was not solely Russian.
• Implication of Leaked Calls: The leaked calls suggest that Kirill Dmitriev and Yuri Ushakov were attempting to use Witco to promote a Russian plan to the Trump administration, potentially "almost wholesale."
• Renegotiation and Moderation: While the plan has since been renegotiated and moderated to be more amenable to Ukraine, the initial implications of the leaked calls remain a point of contention.

Complications for the Administration and Future of Witco's Visit

The leaked calls are undoubtedly complicating matters for the current US administration. Steve Witco was scheduled to visit Moscow next week and meet with President Putin. It remains uncertain whether this meeting will still proceed.

The Question of the Leak's Origin

A major unanswered question is the source of the leaked transcripts.

• Russian Denial: Russia has denied leaking the calls, suggesting that the leak is intended to derail the peace talks.
• US Intelligence Involvement: US intelligence agencies monitor the communications of Russian officials. This raises the possibility that the leak could have originated from within the US government, perhaps from individuals who oppose the current negotiating approach or Witco's strategy. The source of the leak is currently unknown.

Conclusion

The leaked phone calls involving US special envoy Steve Witco and Kremlin officials have introduced significant complications into the already delicate peace negotiations with Ukraine. While the US administration maintains that Witco's actions are part of standard negotiating procedure, the content of the calls has fueled accusations of US bias towards Russia and raised questions about the true origin and intent of the peace plan. The uncertainty surrounding the leak's source further exacerbates the situation, casting a shadow over Witco's planned visit to Moscow and the future prospects of a peace agreement.