Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special representative for Russia and the Middle East Photo Getty Images
The new peace plan from the US comes at a time when Ukraine is facing problems on the front line and a corruption scandal in the energy sector, and Russia is moving closer to Washington's oil sanctions. What is behind the game between Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev?
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There has been another revival on the diplomatic track. Over the past two days, a number of Western media outlets have published information that US Special Representative Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev have prepared a new framework for a plan to end the war.
It includes a number of points that have so far been red lines for Kyiv. Ukraine's renunciation of the territories of Donbas under its control and the “rent” payment to Russia for them, reduction of the army, restrictions on weapons, recognition of Russian as the second state language, etc., media reported, citing sources.
Other US administration officials were involved in developing the plan, and President Donald Trump approved it, according to NBC. The framework of the plan has yet to be presented to Ukraine, which was not involved in its development.
The leak comes at a dramatic moment for both sides. Ukraine is facing a difficult situation on the front line, shelling of energy facilities and the most high-profile corruption scandal since the start of a full-scale war. Russia faces sanctions against its oil giants, which are set to take full effect on November 21.
