We drafted a Trump 20-point plan, which was 20 points for peace, and I think we might do the same with you. In this way, Steve Whitkov, referring to the US government's plan as an example, opened the discussion to Vladimir Putin's close advisor, Yuri Ushakov, about the 28-point plan during a phone call they had on October 14, the content of which was revealed by Bloomberg, which even provided the audio and transcript of the conversation.

The relevant Bloomberg report and the released document describe how Witkov is advising Vladimir Putin's close associate on how Moscow should communicate its plan to make it more easily accepted by the American president. According to Witkov, a phone call between Trump and Putin could be organized shortly before the American president's meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, who was expected later that week at the White House (a phone call that eventually took place), and the main idea in it should be that the plan for Ukraine could be like the one for Gaza.

The negotiating tactic that likely led to the 28-point plan

This discussion, according to Bloomberg, is a prime opportunity to examine the negotiation tactics used by Witkoff, but also provides a good insight into what appears to be ground zero in drafting the 28-point peace proposal that the US pressured Ukraine to accept as the basis for any negotiations.

As Bloomberg notes, at the time of the Witkoff-Ushakov conversation, Trump was basking in the success of his effort to end the war in Gaza. The day before, he had become the first US president to address the Israeli Knesset since 2008, after securing the release of the last 20 living hostages held by Hamas.

The recording specifically shows that during his conversation with Ushakov, Vitkov told his Russian counterpart that he had deep respect for Putin and that he had told Trump that he believed Russia had always wanted a peace deal. The American envoy mentioned Zelensky’s upcoming visit and suggested that Putin could speak with Trump before that meeting.

How Witkov told Putin what to say

Zelensky is coming to the White House on Friday, Witkoff said. I'll go too, because they want me there, but I think, if possible, we should have the call with your boss before the meeting on Friday.

Ushakov asked Vitkov if it would be helpful for Putin to call Trump. Vitkov said it would be.

He also recommended that Putin congratulate Trump on the Gaza peace deal, say that Russia supported it and that it respects him as a man of peace. From that, the call will go very well, Witkov said.

You know what would be amazing? He then added. Maybe he could say to President Trump: you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point plan for peace and that could be something that might help a little bit – we're open to that kind of thing.

Ushakov appeared to take some of the advice. Putin will congratulate and say that Mr. Trump is a true man of peace, he said.

Trump and Putin finally had a phone call two days later, at Russia's request, and the US president described it as very productive. After the call, he announced plans to meet with the Russian leader in Budapest  and also said that Putin had congratulated him on the Gaza deal.

After that call, Vitkov met with Kirill Dmitriev, another senior Kremlin adviser, in Miami, according to an interview Dmitriev gave to Axios. Dmitriev told Axios that he spent three days in Miami starting on Oct. 24. A spokesman for him declined to comment.

The discussion between Dimitriev and Ushakov and a Russian plan

On October 29, Dimitriev and Ushakov spoke by phone in Russian and discussed how strongly Moscow should press for its demands in any peace proposal, according to another recording reviewed by Bloomberg.

As Putin's two advisers considered various options, Ushakov argued that they should ask for the maximum in their proposals to the White House. He said he was concerned that the United States might misinterpret any proposals and take something away but then claim there was a deal, which, he told his colleague, would likely bring the end of the negotiations closer.

Dimitriev, who also heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, suggested sending a document informally and said he was confident that even if the US did not fully adopt the Russian version, it would at least do something very close to it. He later assured Ushakov that he would say exactly what he was told to say and that Ushakov could also discuss the document later with Steve.

After the discussions, the pressures began

As Bloomberg points out, there is no evidence to suggest that the Russian proposal discussed by Putin's two advisers was the 28-point plan presented days ago, but as the agency notes, since then Ukraine has come under intense pressure to accept the proposal drafted by Vitkov with the help of his Russian counterparts in the Kremlin. US officials threatened to cut off critical intelligence support to the Ukrainian military if Zelensky refused to accept the proposal, although Kiev has since managed to win some concessions and persuade the US to slow down, after talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday.

Under terms first proposed by the United States earlier this month, Ukraine would have to withdraw its troops from parts of the eastern Donbas region that Russia has failed to militarily seize. The area would become a neutral demilitarized zone, internationally recognized as Russian.

Moscow would also receive de facto recognition of Russian claims to the Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Most of the remaining front line, including the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, would be effectively frozen. Ukraine and its European allies have insisted that the war must stop along the current lines.

Sounds good.

These are some of the terms that Vitkov and Ushakov appear to have announced during their conversation last month.

"In confidence, I know what it will take to reach a peace agreement," said Vitkov."Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere. But I say, instead of talking like that, let's talk more optimistically, because I think we will reach an agreement here."

The president will give me a lot of leeway and discretion to close the deal, he added. So if we can create the opportunity where, after this, I can say that I spoke to Yuri and we had a conversation, I think that could lead to important things.

"Okay," replied Ushakov."Sounds good."