November 26, 2025
Bloomberg audio reveals how Trump's envoy coached Russia on presenting their own peace plan to get better terms
Bloomberg published a transcript on Nov. 25, 2025 of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between 
Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy for peace missions, and 
Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin's most senior foreign policy adviser. In the call, Witkoff coached Ushakov on how Putin should approach Trump about Ukraine peace negotiations. Witkoff advised setting up a Trump-Putin call before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's White House visit later that week and using the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a conversation starter. Witkoff told Ushakov, 'Now, me to you, I know what it's going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere.' He added that Trump 'will give me a lot of space and discretion to get to the deal.' Bloomberg obtained a recording of the call and prepared the transcript from that recording.
Witkoff is a 67-year-old real estate developer and founder of the Witkoff Group with a net worth estimated at $2 billion by Forbes as of May 2025. He has no diplomatic experience or foreign policy background. After starting his career as a real estate attorney, he shifted to property development in New York and Miami, acquiring buildings including the Daily News Building and the Woolworth Building in Manhattan. Trump appointed him as special envoy to the Middle East in Nov. 2024, days after winning reelection. By Mar. 2025, Witkoff had become Trump's de facto envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the main channel of communication between the Trump administration and the Russian presidency. Witkoff worked on the Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations before Trump formally took office, helping push negotiations that led to ceasefires in Jan. and Oct. 2025.
Witkoff met with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami from Oct. 24-26, 2025 for three days of talks. Dmitriev is CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Russia's sovereign wealth fund, and serves as Special Representative of the Russian President for Investment and Economic Cooperation. He's deeply involved in diplomacy over Ukraine and is a close ally of Putin. During the Miami meetings, Witkoff, Dmitriev, and other Trump team members - including Jared Kushner - drafted a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine. Dmitriev told Axios he was optimistic about the deal's chances of success because 'we feel the Russian position is really being heard.' Bloomberg obtained a second recording from Oct. 29 of a conversation between Dmitriev and Ushakov discussing strategy for presenting the peace plan to Trump's team.
In the Oct. 29 recording, Dmitriev suggested handing over the document 'informally' so the American side could present it as their own work. This strategy allowed the 28-point plan - substantially formulated by Kremlin operative Dmitriev - to be presented as a U.S. peace proposal. The plan called for massive Ukrainian concessions: recognizing Russian sovereignty over annexed regions of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk; capping Ukraine's armed forces at 600,000 personnel; amending Ukraine's constitution to commit to not joining NATO; prohibiting NATO troops from deploying in Ukraine; lifting sanctions against Russia; and inviting Russia to rejoin the G8. Ukraine would get 'reliable security guarantees' but details were vague. Ukrainian elections would be held within 100 days. The plan was leaked in Nov. 2025 and immediately drew sharp criticism from Ukraine and European allies as overwhelmingly favorable to Moscow.
Secretary of State 
Marco Rubio clashed with Witkoff over the Russia-Ukraine negotiations throughout Nov. 2025. NBC News reported a behind-the-scenes diplomatic feud between the two officials with fundamentally different strategies. Witkoff pushed proposals putting the onus on Ukraine to make concessions, give up territory, and accept risks to its future security. Rubio favored imposing more economic and military pressure on Russia to force Putin to make concessions and allow a secure future for Ukraine. In Nov., Witkoff departed for peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland early without communicating his travel plans to Rubio and other State Department officials. Some officials perceived this as a move to allow Witkoff to negotiate with Ukraine as he saw fit. Rubio ultimately made it to Geneva, ensuring Witkoff wouldn't meet Ukrainian officials without State Department presence.
The Bloomberg revelations sparked bipartisan congressional criticism. Republican Representative 
Don Bacon called for Witkoff to be fired, stating 'For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign and democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations.' Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick called it 'a major problem. And one of the many reasons why these ridiculous side shows and secret meetings need to stop.' The criticism focused on Witkoff carrying water for Russia rather than seeking a balanced deal. Critics argued the U.S. special envoy was coaching an adversary on how to negotiate against a strategic partner and European ally. The leak raised questions about whether Witkoff was conducting unauthorized diplomacy, though he was acting under Trump's direction.
Trump defended Witkoff's approach when asked about the leaked transcript aboard Air Force One on Nov. 26. Trump told reporters he hadn't heard the audio but said 'He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gotta sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a deal maker does.' The White House did not dispute the veracity of the Bloomberg transcript. Trump described Witkoff's approach as 'standard' negotiating procedure. This defense came as Rubio grappled with a diplomatic crisis after the leak of the U.S.-backed peace plan spearheaded by Witkoff that European allies saw as tilting heavily toward Russia. Following Geneva talks on Nov. 23-24, 2025 between the U.S., Ukraine and European allies, a revised deal was reportedly on the table based on European counterproposals that limited Russian gains. Details of that revised plan weren't made public.
The controversy highlighted fundamental problems with Trump's approach to Ukraine diplomacy: using an inexperienced real estate developer with no foreign policy background as the main channel to Russia; allowing that envoy to draft peace plans with Russian officials that presented Moscow's maximalist demands; excluding or bypassing the State Department and career diplomats; and defending an envoy who coaches U.S. adversaries on negotiating tactics. The leaked recordings provided rare documentary evidence of how the Trump administration's parallel diplomatic track operates outside normal channels. Witkoff's declaration that he knows 'what it's going to take' - Donetsk and a land swap - suggested he'd already decided Ukraine must cede territory before negotiations even began. His assurance that Trump would give him 'a lot of space and discretion' indicated minimal oversight of his dealings with Russian officials.
What did Witkoff advise Ushakov to remind Trump about?
Witkoff suggested Russia create a Trump plan similar to the 20-point plan he created.
Who had authority to remove Witkoff as special envoy after the leak?
What exact words did Witkoff use to start coaching Ushakov?
What did pundits describe as "just staggering" about the call?
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Special Envoy to the Middle East and Special Envoy for Peace Missions
Vladimir Putin's Senior Foreign Policy Adviser
CEO of Russian Direct Investment Fund, Special Representative of Russian President
U.S. Secretary of State
President of the United States
U.S. Representative from Nebraska (Republican)
oversight action
Demand congressional oversight hearings on Witkoff's unauthorized coaching of Russian officials
The Bloomberg recordings provide documentary evidence of a U.S. special envoy coaching an adversary on how to negotiate against an ally. Contact the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee to demand oversight hearings examining whether Witkoff violated his duties, whether he's advancing Russian interests over American interests, and whether Trump's parallel diplomatic track undermines U.S. foreign policy. Congress has oversight authority over foreign policy and can subpoena witnesses and documents.
Hello, I'm calling to demand oversight hearings on Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's conduct regarding Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Bloomberg published recordings of Witkoff coaching Putin's senior foreign policy adviser on how Putin should approach Trump about Ukraine. Witkoff told the Russian official he knows the deal requires 'Donetsk and maybe a land swap' - conceding Ukrainian territory before negotiations even began. Witkoff drafted a 28-point peace plan with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev that heavily favored Russia, and recordings show Russian officials strategized to present their plan as an American initiative. This isn't standard diplomacy - it's a U.S. envoy advancing Russian interests. Will the committee hold hearings to investigate Witkoff's conduct and Trump's parallel diplomatic track?
legislative action
Support legislative measures requiring Senate confirmation for special envoys
Trump appointed Witkoff - a real estate developer with zero diplomatic experience - as special envoy without Senate confirmation. Witkoff became the main channel to Russia and drafted peace plans advancing Russian interests. Contact your senators and demand legislation requiring Senate confirmation for all special envoys conducting foreign policy negotiations. The Senate's advice and consent role exists precisely to prevent unqualified individuals from conducting U.S. diplomacy. Legislation should also require special envoys to coordinate with the State Department and career diplomats.
Hello, I'm calling to urge Senator [NAME] to support legislation requiring Senate confirmation for all special envoys. President Trump appointed real estate developer Steve Witkoff as special envoy for peace missions without Senate confirmation. Witkoff has no diplomatic experience but became Trump's main channel to Russia. Bloomberg published recordings of Witkoff coaching Russian officials and drafting peace plans with a Kremlin operative that heavily favored Russia. An unconfirmed, unqualified envoy is conducting U.S. foreign policy and advancing Russian interests. The Senate's advice and consent role exists to prevent this. Will Senator [NAME] introduce or co-sponsor legislation requiring Senate confirmation for special envoys conducting foreign policy negotiations?
civic action
Pressure State Department to assert control over Ukraine diplomacy
Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed with Witkoff throughout Nov. 2025 because Witkoff conducted parallel diplomacy outside State Department channels. Witkoff departed for Geneva talks without communicating travel plans to State officials. Contact the State Department and demand that career diplomats and the Secretary of State - not unqualified special envoys - lead Ukraine negotiations. The State Department has the expertise, institutional knowledge, and legal authority to conduct foreign policy. Parallel diplomatic tracks undermine U.S. credibility and allow inexperienced envoys to advance adversaries' interests.
I'm calling to demand that the State Department assert control over Ukraine peace negotiations. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been conducting parallel diplomacy with Russian officials outside State Department channels. Bloomberg published recordings of Witkoff coaching Putin's foreign policy adviser and drafting peace plans with Kremlin officials that heavily favor Russia. Witkoff departed for Geneva talks without communicating with State Department officials. Secretary Rubio was forced to follow to ensure Witkoff didn't negotiate alone. The State Department - not unqualified special envoys - should lead U.S. diplomacy. Career diplomats have the expertise to defend American interests. What is the State Department doing to assert control over Ukraine negotiations and end Witkoff's parallel diplomatic track?
transparency action
File FOIA requests for all Witkoff communications with Russian officials
Bloomberg obtained two recordings of Witkoff and Russian officials from Oct. 2025. There are likely many more communications documenting Witkoff's coordination with Russia. File Freedom of Information Act requests with the White House, State Department, and National Security Council demanding all records of Witkoff's communications with Russian officials including Ushakov, Dmitriev, and Putin. Request all records related to the 28-point peace plan drafting, all records of Witkoff's Miami meetings with Dmitriev, and all records of Witkoff's travel to Russia or meetings with Russian officials. Public disclosure is essential for accountability.
File FOIA requests with the White House, State Department, and NSC requesting: (1) All communications between Steve Witkoff and Russian officials including Yuri Ushakov, Kirill Dmitriev, and Vladimir Putin from Jan. 2025 to present, (2) All records related to drafting, reviewing, or revising the 28-point Ukraine peace plan, (3) All records of Witkoff's Oct. 24-26, 2025 meetings with Dmitriev in Miami, (4) All records of Witkoff's travel to Russia or meetings with Russian officials, (5) All communications between Witkoff and Trump regarding Ukraine negotiations, (6) All State Department internal communications about Witkoff's parallel diplomatic track. Cite the public interest in understanding whether a U.S. envoy advanced Russian interests.