Trump Envoy Used Kremlin Interpreters in Putin Talks, Presents 22-Point Ukraine Plan Including 30-Day Ceasefire

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, has held three high-level meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine. Witkoff, a former real estate mogul and cryptocurrency trader, broke established diplomatic protocol by not bringing a U.S. interpreter, instead relying on Kremlin-provided translators, including one reportedly connected to Russian state security. Witkoff does not speak Russian and, during one meeting, asked if the interpreter was from the embassy. His plane used for travel to Russia is not fitted with a secure government communications system, though he has made sensitive calls from the U.S. Embassy and uses a secure cellphone. The meetings took place on February 11, March 13, April 11, and April 25, with the most recent session including Putin's special adviser Yuri Ushakov and special envoy Kirill Dmitriev. A Kremlin video shows Witkoff entering the meeting room alone. Witkoff is expected to present Putin with a 22-point proposal for resolving the conflict in Ukraine. The plan, prepared by American, European, and Ukrainian negotiators, includes a 30-day ceasefire and reportedly meets Putin's demand that the U.S. will not support Ukraine's accession to NATO. Ukraine has agreed to the ceasefire proposal, and the U.S. has signed an economic partnership with Ukraine. Officials have noted that Russia's position in the negotiations has remained unchanged and there has been little progress toward a ceasefire. Putin has made recent remarks about Russia's nuclear capability, stating he hopes such weapons will not be required.