Bloomberg News stunned political observers on Tuesday by publishing a leaked transcript of a phone conversation between Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for former President Donald Trump, and Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign-policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The call, dated October 14, 2025, has ignited controversy for revealing what critics describe as Witkoff coaching Russian officials on how to flatter Trump to advance Russia’s interests in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Contents of the Leaked Call
The transcript shows Witkoff advising Ushakov on how to frame discussions to make Trump more receptive to Russian proposals. At one point, Witkoff reportedly said:
“I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere. But I’m saying instead of talking like that, let’s talk more hopefully because I think we’re going to get to a deal here. And I think Yuri, the president will give me a lot of space and discretion to get to the deal.”
This has raised alarms among lawmakers and pundits, who argue that such guidance could undermine U.S. diplomatic objectives and potentially compromise negotiations over the Ukraine conflict.
Bloomberg also released a separate October 29 call between Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, an economic adviser to Putin. In that conversation, Dmitriev suggested that the Trump-backed draft peace plan may have originated from Russia:
“No, look. I think we’ll just make this paper from our position, and I’ll informally pass it along, making it clear that it’s all informal. And let them do like their own. But, I don’t think they’ll take exactly our version, but at least it’ll be as close to it as possible.”
The plan was swiftly criticized in Washington, including by members of Trump’s own party, for allegedly granting excessive concessions to Russia.
Reactions from Media and Lawmakers
The leaked calls drew widespread attention and criticism from journalists and political figures.
- Oliver Carroll, The Economist foreign correspondent, described the transcript as “just staggering,” noting that Witkoff appeared to coach a Kremlin adviser on how to flatter Trump:
“‘Congratulate the president on this achievement … that he is a man of peace.’”
- Christopher Miller of the Financial Times called it “remarkable,” emphasizing that Witkoff’s advice revealed a fundamental misunderstanding of Putin’s objectives and the Ukraine conflict.
- Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) reacted by saying:
“This is a major problem. And one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop. Allow Secretary of State Marco Rubio to do his job in a fair and objective manner.”
Implications for U.S.-Russia Diplomacy
The leaks have intensified scrutiny of Trump-era backchannel diplomacy and raised concerns about the role of unofficial envoys in sensitive negotiations. Analysts argue that such calls could:
- Undermine formal U.S. diplomatic channels
- Complicate ongoing efforts to broker a peace agreement in Ukraine
- Provide Russia with leverage in shaping proposals favorable to its interests
The Trump-backed plan’s perceived concessions to Russia, coupled with Witkoff’s guidance to Kremlin officials, have sparked debate over improvised diplomacy versus formal State Department-led negotiations.
Conclusion
The leaked conversations between Steve Witkoff, Yuri Ushakov, and Kirill Dmitriev have created a political firestorm, raising questions about the integrity of U.S.-Russia negotiations and the influence of informal envoys in foreign policy. As lawmakers and pundits react, the controversy highlights the ongoing tensions and scrutiny surrounding Trump-era diplomacy and the Ukraine peace process.
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