German military expert Carlo Masala expressed this opinion on Espreso TV."Regarding the optimistic statements of Western politicians about the approach of peace in the Russian-Ukrainian war, I remain a pessimist. We know that Russia wants to get the maximum possible. Today, a plan with 19 points is being discussed. Moscow seems to be reacting to this plan, but what we hear is that the Russian Federation does not want to negotiate. We have to understand that we are discussing this peace plan among ourselves - Europeans, Americans, and Ukrainians, but we are not talking with the Russians," the expert noted.Carlo Masala believes that Russia will not agree to anything mentioned in this peace plan because it wants to win this war in a military sense. And if Moscow does not see that its demands have been accepted, then it will not agree to any conditions of this peace.On November 23, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Ukrainian and American delegations discussed the 28 points of the so-called Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan, drawn up with the participation of the Kremlin.At the same time, Europe proposed its own 28 points for a plan to end Russia's war with Ukraine: the full text of the proposal has been published.On November 24, the spokesman for the Russian dictator, Dmitry Peskov, said that the Russian Federation had not received any information about the negotiations between Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. in Geneva, and was also unaware of the new text for a war settlement based on the results of the meetings.Later, Trump expressed doubt about the possibility of achieving "great progress" in the Ukrainian-Russian negotiations.On November 24, the President's Office stated that the 28-point plan, in the form that everyone had seen, no longer exists.The next day, the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, announced that Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to hold talks with President Trump "as soon as possible" to finalize the peace agreement. The meeting could take place on Thanksgiving, November 27.

Deep State reported the information.The Russian forces shot 5 Ukrainian prisoners of war west of Zelenyi Hai, continuing to ignore the norms of international law."According to available data, the enemy captured the men in a wooded area, lined them up, and after interrogation, shot them," the report states.On November 16, the Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor's Office opened proceedings regarding the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian troops in the Huliaipole direction.On November 22, the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office began an investigation into the murder of five Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian soldiers near the village of Kotlyne.

The Wall Street Journal reported the information.A dozen senior German military officers gathered at Berlin's Julius Leber Barracks roughly two and a half years ago with an urgent mission: draft a secret plan for war with Russia. Today, they're racing against time to make it a reality.Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine shattered decades of European stability, triggering the continent's fastest military buildup since World War II. But German planners believe the outcome of any future conflict won't be determined solely by troop numbers or weapons stockpiles. Victory will hinge on something far more complex: logistics.At the heart of this effort lies Operation Plan Germany—known in military circles as OPLAN DEU—a classified 1,200-page document that details how up to 800,000 German, U.S., and NATO troops would be transported eastward toward the front lines. The blueprint maps out ports, rivers, railways, and roads, outlining how forces would be supplied and protected during transit."Look at the map," said Tim Stuchtey, head of the Brandenburg Institute for Society and Security. With the Alps forming a natural barrier, NATO troops would have to cross Germany in any clash with Russia, "regardless of where it might start."The plan represents what its architects call an "all-of-society" approach to warfare—a blurring of civilian and military spheres reminiscent of Cold War thinking, but updated for modern threats including drones, cyberattacks, and crumbling infrastructure.German officials estimate Russia will be ready and willing to attack NATO by 2029. However, a series of spying incidents, sabotage attacks, and airspace violations across Europe—many attributed to Moscow by Western intelligence—suggest the threat could materialize sooner. Analysts also warn that any armistice in Ukraine could free up Russian resources for operations against NATO members."The goal is to prevent war by making it clear to our enemies that if they attack us, they won't be successful," said a senior military officer who helped author the plan.From theory to practiceThe scale of Germany's transformation was on display this autumn in the eastern German countryside, where defense contractor Rheinmetall constructed a field camp for 500 soldiers in just 14 days. The temporary installation included dormitories, 48 shower cabins, five gas stations, a field kitchen, drone surveillance, and armed guards vetted for foreign influence."Picture building a small town from nothing and dismantling it in just a few days," said Marc Lemmermann, head of sales at Rheinmetall's logistics division.Rheinmetall recently signed a €260 million contract to resupply German and NATO forces, part of the military's push to integrate the private sector into war planning. But the exercise also exposed critical flaws: insufficient land for vehicles and noncontiguous plots that forced troops to be bused between locations.Such lessons are continuously incorporated into OPLAN, now in its second iteration and stored on the military's secure "red network."The infrastructure challengePerhaps nowhere is Germany's unpreparedness more evident than along a 3.5-mile stretch of the A44 autobahn between Steinhausen and Brenken. Unlike typical highway sections, this one features a solid tarmac median strip and unusually large rest areas—remnants of Cold War-era design when it served as an emergency aircraft landing strip.During the Cold War, dual-use infrastructure was standard across Germany. Highways, bridges, train stations, and ports were built to serve military purposes if needed. But after the Cold War ended, that changed. Tunnels and bridges constructed since often can't accommodate military convoys. In 2009, Berlin even dropped requirements for signs indicating what weight military vehicles roads could support.Today, Berlin estimates 20% of highways and over a quarter of highway bridges need repairs due to chronic underinvestment. Germany's North Sea and Baltic Sea harbors require €15 billion in upgrades, including €3 billion for dual-use improvements.A little-publicized incident in February 2024 illustrated the vulnerability. The Dutch cargo ship Rapida rammed a railway bridge over the Hunte River in northwestern Germany, shutting down the sole rail link to Nordenham port—at the time, Northern Europe's only terminal licensed to handle all munitions shipments to Ukraine. Though investigators found no evidence of foul play, ammunition supplies were choked for weeks, forcing the top U.S. military command in Europe to reroute shipments to Poland."Many ports only have one rail route to the hinterland," said Holger Banik, CEO of Niedersachsen Ports. "This is a weakness."Relearning forgotten skillsThe effort to make Germany war-ready began days after Russia's 2022 invasion, when Chancellor Olaf Scholz unveiled a €100 billion rearmament fund, calling it a "zeitenwende"—an epochal change. The German military, or Bundeswehr, created a Territorial Command and tasked Lieutenant General André Bodemann with drafting OPLAN."We must relearn what we unlearnt," said Nils Schmid, deputy defense minister. "We have to drag people back from retirement to tell us how we did it back then."By March of last year, Bodemann's team completed the plan's first iteration. While the new Merz government announced a €500 billion defense spending plan and a return to conscription, the Bundeswehr worked quietly, briefing hospitals, police, and disaster relief agencies, and mapping transit routes for military convoys.In late September, an exercise called Red Storm Bravo tested the plan in Hamburg. The scenario: 500 NATO troops would land at the port and form a 65-vehicle convoy headed east, while fending off attempts to block the port, drone attacks, and protests.Things quickly went off-script. Long gaps appeared between convoy vehicles. A black drone overhead caused confusion before being confirmed as friendly. Mock protesters glued themselves to the road, and police lacked the solvents to remove them. It took two hours to restart the convoy, which had traveled just six miles by early morning.The sabotage threatInadequate peacetime legislation has made it harder for Germany to protect against sabotage—one of OPLAN's biggest threats. Scores of attacks have targeted the railway system in recent years. In October, a Munich court jailed a man for planning to sabotage military installations and railways on behalf of Russia. This week, Poland blamed Russia for an explosion that damaged railway tracks.Germany's domestic intelligence agencies conducted almost 10,000 employee background checks for critical infrastructure operators last year alone."If Germany is going to be NATO's hub, then as the enemy, I'd want to target that: block the ports, take down the power, disrupt the railways," said Paul Strobel of Quantum Systems, a drone manufacturer in talks with the Bundeswehr about providing convoy and infrastructure protection.Outdated laws hamper even basic security measures. Drones sold to the German military can't be flown over populated areas and must have position lights—"which makes sense in civilian use but defeats the purpose in a military setting," Strobel said.The Bundeswehr remains optimistic. "Considering that we started with a blank page in early 2023, we are very happy with where we are today," said the officer and OPLAN co-author. "This is a very sophisticated product."Yet recent stress tests show significant work remains. The biggest uncertainty is time. Given the surge in sabotage, cyberattacks, and airspace intrusions, the line between peace and war is increasingly blurred."The threats are real," Chancellor Friedrich Merz told business leaders in September. "We're not at war, but we no longer live in peacetime."

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reported the information.The agency noted that for the regulator, this is a forced move. Gold is effectively becoming a tool to support the ruble, patch up corporate liquidity, and cover budget needs as other resources are rapidly being depleted.Until 2025, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation did not sell gold to commercial market participants. It only accepted it from the Ministry of Finance, building up its own reserves. Now, the regulator is moving to a sell-off, while the National Wealth Fund is rapidly losing liquid assets: from $113.5 billion in 2022 to $51.6 billion in 2025. The volume of gold in the fund's structure has decreased by 57% during this time—from 405.7 tons to 173.1 tons.In 2025, sales volumes could reach $30 billion (about 230 tons of gold), and in 2026, at least $15 billion (115 tons)."Such a large-scale monetization of reserves accelerates the depletion of stocks, which are already under pressure from sanctions and a decline in available currency instruments," the Foreign Intelligence Service emphasized.They add that while the strategy of selling gold may seem to provide a quick way to fuel the budget and maintain the ruble's stability, it creates long-term risks: it deepens the deficit of liquid reserves, makes public finances more dependent on asset sales, and limits opportunities for future interventions."The actual 'eating through' of reserves—including gold, which was considered untouchable for decades—underscores how much Moscow's financial space has narrowed under the pressure of sanctions," the Foreign Intelligence Service concluded.In 2025, 56 of Russia's regions are facing a budget deficit totaling 169.2 billion rubles (about $2.14 billion).

1. The U.S. is trying to accelerate the negotiation processes. Their logic is simple—freeze the conflict now under Trump's guarantees.2. The main opponents of this approach are in Europe, which is worried about the lack of security guarantees for itself (Trump's word is not very reassuring to them). From the European perspective, the current negotiations are about their own security guarantees.3. At the same time, we are catastrophically financially dependent on Europe: no European money means nothing. And in this respect, our negotiations are part of the EU's negotiations, where we are very limited, especially amid a corruption scandal and a lack of funds as of March 1, 2026. We became part of these negotiations immediately after Trump's inauguration. But a year ago, our positions were much stronger.4. China is waiting. Why? Because even if peace comes tomorrow, the EU and Ukraine will need it. The model of economic coexistence that the U.S. is imposing cannot be sustainable because there are neither security guarantees nor economic profits. On the other hand, China does not seem to believe in quick solutions: for now, neither Putin nor the EU is ready for them.5. Despite all this, it seems we have entered a short window of opportunity for these same quick decisions. And here, the ball is in Putin's court. The U.S. is once again ready to offer him territories and a partial return to world politics (gradual lifting of political and economic sanctions). Whether this will be enough for Putin, who dreams of a third pole in the world, is unclear. Especially considering that the EU holds a controlling stake in the lifting of sanctions.SourceAbout the author: Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Defense Express reported the information.Sweden's Defense Ministry has prepared a comprehensive report for the government outlining the urgent need for a significant boost in the country's defense capabilities within a short-term timeframe of 2-5 years due to the dramatically increased threat from Russia.The report explicitly states that the current situation is an emergency, requiring military armament to proceed faster "than ever in the modern world," according to Swedish publication Expressen. To achieve this goal, the ministry demands greater flexibility, freedom, and authority regarding funding for development and serial production.The priority areas receiving maximum attention include drones and counter-drone systems, ensuring control over the Baltic Sea, improving situational awareness through sensor networks including orbital systems, strengthening air and missile defense, and acquiring the capability to conduct missile strikes at a range of 2,000 kilometers.Defense Express notes that the specific type of missile weaponry is not specified in the report itself, and could include either cruise or ballistic missiles. The latter would be classified as intermediate-range missiles.Sweden officially began discussing intentions to acquire long-range weapons last summer, though without specifying such extensive range requirements. Given the extremely tight timeline, apparently tied to forecasts of Russia's readiness to attack NATO's European segment, the question arises: what options actually exist?The available options are severely limited. In Europe, only France is currently developing ballistic missiles with a 2,000-kilometer range. ArianeGroup's Missile Balistique Terrestre project is scheduled for completion by 2030, followed by deployment. However, France may consider these expensive missiles exclusively as nuclear delivery systems, making widespread distribution unlikely.This leaves cruise missiles as an alternative. However, the market simply lacks cruise missiles with a 2,000-kilometer range. Even if Stockholm could secure Tomahawk purchases at astronomical costs, the maximum range would be 1,600 kilometers. Given current U.S. policy, Swedish procurement of such weapons appears unlikely, as demonstrated by the Netherlands' defense ministry urging domestic manufacturers to provide Tomahawk alternatives.Consequently, Sweden will likely be interested in having its own or, at most, European long-range cruise missiles. Europe currently has only the Land Cruise Missile (LCM) from MDBA, also managed by the French, who have allocated time until 2028 for test preparations. Initially, this will be a cruise missile with a 1,000-kilometer range, later extending to 2,000 kilometers.Given these circumstances, Sweden may risk continuing its decades-long path of domestic development. The possibility of Sweden creating its own cruise missile is quite realistic. Saab has experience in creating and manufacturing anti-ship missiles, including the RBS 15, which in its latest versions has a firing range of up to 300 kilometers and can attack ground targets. Swedish companies also participated in developing Germany's Taurus missile.A country that produces fighter jets and plans to develop "loyal wingmen" with combat artificial intelligence can certainly create cruise missiles. However, even Saab would need to adopt very aggressive work approaches with full government support, as the Defense Ministry wants strike capabilities against Russia at ranges up to 2,000 kilometers by 2030, not just a prototype under testing.

Defense Express reported the information.Ukraine and Britain have signed a landmark agreement for the licensed production of the Octopus anti-aircraft drone at British manufacturing facilities, marking a significant milestone in defense cooperation between the two nations. The deal calls for production of several thousand units per month, all destined for Ukrainian forces.The Octopus project stands as the most illustrative example of Ukrainian-British defense collaboration, being "developed by Ukraine with support from British scientists and technical specialists." Plans for serial production in Britain were first announced on September 10 this year, with implementation timelines confirmed a month ago and proceeding without delays.On November 14, the Ukrainian government announced the launch of serial production of Octopus drones within Ukraine itself, noting that manufacturing had been transferred to three domestic producers. This approach allows for scaling production of standardized weaponry rather than limiting manufacturing to the original developer.Details of the project were revealed during the DSEI 2025 exhibition in Britain. The Octopus was designed by Ukrainian company Ukrspecsystems, part of NAUDI, which received additional support from British specialists. Production in Britain will be carried out by the British division of the Ukrainian company - Ukrspecsystems UK in Mildenhall, eastern England, with the first video from the facility recently released.While specific technical characteristics of the Octopus remain classified, its high combat capabilities have been proven during battlefield use. The drone can operate at night, under electronic warfare conditions, and at low altitudes. The design follows traditional anti-aircraft drone architecture with a "missile-like" solution featuring X-shaped wings with electric motors and propellers at the tips.The most critical aspects of such weaponry remain undisclosed, particularly the target guidance system. However, the announced capabilities of the Octopus, British specialist involvement in development, and readiness to produce thousands monthly suggest an effective and cost-efficient solution. Notably, the London-announced cost of the Octopus is less than 10% of a Shahed drone's price.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal reported the information."This is a historic precedent and the next important step that will allow the production of Ukrainian interceptors in Great Britain, which have proven their effectiveness in combating Shaheds," noted Denys Shmyhal.According to him, mass production of interceptors is planned, which could reach several thousand per month."The manufactured equipment will be transferred to Ukraine to strengthen the protection of our skies. I thank our British partners for their cooperation, trust, and contribution to strengthening our air defense," emphasized Ukraine's Defense Minister.On November 14, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal reported that Ukraine kicked off mass production of a homegrown drone, dubbed Octopus, designed to intercept Shaheds. This tech was developed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Politico reported the information.Secretary of State Marco Rubio has informed European counterparts that the United States wants a comprehensive peace deal in place before committing to long-term security assurances for Ukraine, according to multiple European diplomats familiar with the discussions. This approach represents a significant shift from previous expectations that security guarantees would be integral to any peace negotiations.During a Tuesday conference call with European officials, Rubio emphasized that President Donald Trump would negotiate lasting protections for Ukraine's safety, but only after a peace agreement is finalized. The secretary reiterated this position during weekend negotiations in Geneva, though he provided few specifics about what such guarantees might entail."Secretary Rubio, along with the entire Trump administration, has clearly underscored that security guarantees would need to be part of any peace deal, as he has consistently outlined in both public and private," State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, disputing characterizations of the administration's stance.The White House also pushed back against suggestions that security guarantees were being sidelined. "The Trump administration has repeatedly affirmed, publicly and privately, that any deal must provide full security guarantees and deterrence for Ukraine," spokesperson Anna Kelly stated.However, European allies remain concerned about the administration's evolving approach. Initial U.S. peace proposals circulated last week included provisions limiting Ukraine's military to 600,000 troops while placing no restrictions on Russian forces. Though officials have since described the 28-point plan as merely a starting framework, the proposals have heightened European anxieties about America's commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.Rubio told European counterparts Thursday that the U.S. was not viewed as an impartial mediator because it provides military aid to Ukraine while sanctioning Russia, according to two European diplomats. This acknowledgment of perceived bias has further complicated diplomatic efforts.The administration faces pressure from Congress to maintain strong support for Ukraine. "If Ukraine has to give up any land, it has to come with, like Article Five security agreements with NATO and the United States, because that is the only way to stop Russia from doing this again," said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.).Since Russia's February 2022 invasion, the U.S. has provided nearly $67 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, though most funding came under the previous Biden administration. European nations are now exploring alternative support mechanisms, including using frozen Russian assets and potentially deploying European troops.Some European officials worry the Trump administration's approach could favor Russian interests. "Nothing about human rights, humanitarian law, international law nor principles," one European diplomat said of the peace plans. "This is creating a new European 'security architecture' full of holes."As negotiations continue, the fundamental question remains whether Ukraine can secure the protection it needs to prevent future Russian aggression while making the territorial and military concessions that may be necessary for peace.

The New York Times reported the information.In a closed-door meeting with Western diplomats in Kyiv last week, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll delivered an alarming assessment: Russia is now producing missiles faster than it can fire them, amassing a growing arsenal of long-range weaponry that poses an escalating threat to Ukraine and potentially beyond its borders.For years, Moscow launched missiles into Ukraine at roughly the same pace it manufactured them. But that dynamic has shifted dramatically, Driscoll told the assembled diplomats, according to two Western officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.The message was unmistakable: a peace settlement is urgently needed before Russia's expanding missile stockpile can deliver a devastating blow to Ukraine or threaten other European nations.Western officials who heard Driscoll's presentation called the Russian buildup deeply concerning and said his warning had made a significant impact. However, the use of Russia's military expansion as leverage to sell a peace deal widely viewed as unfavorable to Ukraine marks a striking departure from traditional U.S. diplomatic posture, which would typically condemn such weapons accumulation rather than cite it as justification for concessions to an aggressor.The Trump administration maintains that Russia holds the upper hand in the conflict and that Ukraine should accept a settlement quickly. This assessment is supported by Ukrainian military intelligence and independent analysts' calculations showing a fundamental shift in Russian arms production capacity.By June, Russia had expanded its industrial capacity to produce approximately 2,900 cruise and ballistic missiles annually, according to Ukraine's military intelligence agency. The figure includes Iskander ballistic missiles, Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and repurposed anti-ship missiles.Ukrainian Air Force data analyzed by The Times shows Russia launched 2,061 cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine last year and is on track to fire slightly more this year. Yet even this increased rate of fire leaves Moscow with hundreds of additional missiles in reserve."The launches are not keeping up with production," said Fabian Hoffmann, a missile expert at the University of Oslo. Russia could be stockpiling weapons for contingencies beyond Ukraine or to increase pressure on Kyiv, he noted.The trend is particularly alarming because ballistic missiles are already being fired at Ukraine faster than the country can secure interceptors capable of shooting them down—American Patriots and French-Italian SAMP/T systems. Hoffmann warned that this points toward a moment when Ukraine could run out of defenses to protect cities like Kyiv.Analysts say Russia could use its stockpile to devastate Ukraine's already crippled electrical infrastructure, deplete the country's dwindling air defense capabilities, or wield the threat of attacks against other European nations.The assessment represents a reversal from just a year ago. Evidence that Moscow was firing missiles as quickly as it built them came from a July 2024 strike on a Kyiv children's hospital, where investigators found missile components manufactured just months earlier.Driscoll, an ally of Vice President JD Vance who has emerged as an unlikely diplomatic leader, is preparing to return to Kyiv this week for further negotiations on a peace proposal that has undergone significant revisions after Ukrainian and European resistance.This week, as peace talks appeared to gain momentum, Russia unleashed a deadly barrage of ballistic missiles and drones on Kyiv—echoing a September pattern when Moscow responded to failed negotiations with strikes on Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers building and an American factory in western Ukraine.Yet Hoffmann cautioned that Russia's missile stocks would likely surge even higher if fighting stopped. "If Russia gets away victoriously from this war, they might feel very adventurous in the future and have a massive stockpile of long-range armaments," he said.On Sunday, November 23, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Ukrainian and American delegations held discussions on the 28 points of the so-called Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan, which was drafted with the Kremlin's involvement.On Tuesday, November 25, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Russian and Ukrainian sides are very close to an agreement to end the war.

Military expert Dmytro Sniehyrov, co-head of the civic initiative Prava Sprava, stated this on Espreso TV."We are not talking about pushing Russia back to the '91 borders; that is blatant nonsense. Let's forget about these talking points. Ukraine is satisfied with the very scenario of freezing the conflict along the line of combat. It would even accept a demarcation zone scenario, which would involve the remaining parts of the Donetsk region and the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. Let's be realistic, the capture of Pokrovsk is a matter of time. And we are not just talking about the capture of Pokrovsk, but the entire Pokrovsk agglomeration. The Russian forces have had quite serious tactical successes in the direction of Siversk, with fighting already taking place on its outskirts. This effectively flanks the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. The invaders are also advancing towards Lyman. According to various estimates, they are between 2.5 to 3 kilometers from Lyman. And consequently, fighting is already on the outskirts of Kostiantynivka," he said.Dmytro Sniehyrov suggests that after the potential fall of the Pokrovsk agglomeration, 150,000 troops of Russian "cannon fodder" will be redeployed to the Kostiantynivka direction."That is, after the possible fall of the Pokrovsk agglomeration, 150,000 of Russian cannon fodder will be transferred to the Kostiantynivka direction. That is why the United States is proceeding from the realities of the situation on the line of contact and proposing that scenario—namely, the creation of a demarcation zone in the Donetsk region, and in return, the return of the temporarily occupied territories of the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. By the way, in terms of square kilometers, this is effectively the same amount of territory that the United States is proposing for the demarcation zone. And note, there is also an advance by the Russians in the Huliaipole area, which is the Zaporizhzhia direction, and at the junction of the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. There, unfortunately, the occupiers also have tactical successes. This is why the Russians state that this peace treaty does not suit them, but they are completely satisfied with the situation on the line of contact. This, by the way, is further proof that there is no talk of any joint American-Russian plan," he added.On November 25, the press secretary for the Russian dictator, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Kremlin considers Donald Trump's peace plan the only substantive document that could form the basis for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.On November 26, U.S. President Donald Trump, commenting on his intentions for resolving the war in Ukraine, stated that the main concession from Russia would be to halt military operations and renounce further territorial conquests.

The Center for Countering Disinformation reported the information.The largest deficits were recorded in the Kemerovo, Irkutsk, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, and Nizhny Novgorod regions, as well as the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.Among the reasons for the deficit, as noted by the Center, is a 14.6% increase in regional expenditures, while revenues grew by only 6.9% in 2025. A separate burden comes from one-time payments for contracts with the Russian Armed Forces, which have significantly increased local budget expenditures, as well as a reduction in revenues in other sectors."This combination—a decline in income taxes, an increase in the social burden, and billions in war-related expenses—is pushing the regions of the Russian Federation into a financial hole. Despite the Kremlin's attempts to create an illusion of complete control, in the context of a protracted war, the regional budgets of the Russian Federation are rapidly losing stability, and this trend will only intensify," emphasizes the Center for Countering Disinformation.Previously, the Foreign Intelligence Service reported that the Russian economy is showing a systemic decline and is entering a phase where even official statistics can no longer hide the scale of the problems.

Political scientist and international expert Maksym Nesvitailov expressed this opinion on Espreso TV."Considering the significant corruption scandal in Ukraine, a brewing political crisis, and waning support for President Zelenskyy, Russia showed little genuine interest in implementing the plan. We now know they wrote this plan and delivered it to the United States, which only confirms they never intended to adhere to it. They had a straightforward strategy they could have employed to force Ukraine to the negotiating table and compel it to make compromises," he stated.At the very least, Nesvitailov noted, this strategy would have placed Ukraine in an extremely difficult position."Putin could have publicly announced, 'Look, there is an excellent plan on the table—I've seen it, it's Donald Trump's plan.' This is what the media was calling it, after all. He could have then declared, 'We either sign this plan as it is written, or all negotiations are off.' For Russia, this would have been a fantastic deal. The pressure from the United States would have been immense; Trump would have been unleashed to lean on us heavily. Furthermore, the internal pressure within Ukraine would have been severe. Let's be honest: if the public were told that signing this plan would bring peace tomorrow, a significant portion of Ukrainians would have supported it. We have to be realistic and acknowledge that. Russia chose not to pursue this path for one simple reason: even a peace this disadvantageous to Ukraine is not enough for them. They want more.""This is because, first and foremost, this is an existential war," he remarked. "It is a war of annihilation. This is one of two primary reasons for their actions."The expert emphasized that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's goal is to destroy Ukraine as it currently exists and to eradicate all elements of Ukrainian identity."For anyone who fails to grasp what is happening in the occupied territories, I urge you to look at the wealth of available materials. There are numerous accounts detailing how speaking a single word of Ukrainian can get you thrown into a basement, never to return home. The first reason for Russia's actions is the existential nature of this war—a concept that American leaders seem unable to comprehend. Some individuals in power there don't even seem to know the meaning of the word 'existential,' so how could they possibly grasp the situation? This is why you have figures like J.D. Vance making perplexing statements, asking why both sides can't just stop shooting and start trading.""In response to such a question," Nesvitailov continued, "one is tempted to ask: After the 9/11 attacks, why did the U.S. feel it was necessary to start a war on terrorism? Why not just trade with Afghanistan and Iraq? Why not pursue cultural exchanges with al-Qaeda? And yet, for some reason, a military response was chosen. The second reason for Russia's behavior relates directly to China," he concluded.On November 23, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Ukrainian and American delegations discussed the 28 points of the so-called Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan, drawn up with the participation of the Kremlin.At the same time, Europe proposed its own 28 points for a plan to end Russia's war with Ukraine: the full text of the proposal has been published.On November 24, the spokesman for the Russian dictator, Dmitry Peskov, said that the Russian Federation had not received any information about the negotiations between Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. in Geneva, and was also unaware of the new text for a war settlement based on the results of the meetings.Later, Trump expressed doubt about the possibility of achieving "great progress" in the Ukrainian-Russian negotiations.On November 24, the President's Office stated that the 28-point plan, in the form that everyone had seen, no longer exists.The next day, the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, announced that Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to hold talks with President Trump "as soon as possible" to finalize the peace agreement. The meeting could take place on Thanksgiving, November 27.

1. The Russians want to disrupt negotiations using others' hands. They failed to do this with Ukrainian hands, so they are trying to play their favorite game: sowing informational chaos and causing psychosis in the American political establishment. They were quite successful at this during the last election campaign.2. The Russians clearly did not expect such pressure from Trump. Putin doesn't want negotiations but is forced to play this game. And to disrupt the negotiations, a global scandal in the U.S. is needed. However, it seems Trump has decided to play this game to the end. And this leak will force Trump to accelerate the processes.3. I have repeatedly written that there are three obstacles on the path to a peace treaty:The territorial issue;Security guarantees for Europe;Putin's unwillingness to end the war, as he understands that in the event of a truce, he is signing a surrender. And his surrender means that Russia will definitively, and for at least a decade, lose its chance to become a third pole in the world.4. Yesterday, for the first time, Trump spoke about security guarantees for Europe. And this suggests that this problem might be overcome.5. Therefore, two points remain — territories (it seems we are quite close to a quasi-solution) and Putin's unwillingness. The only thing that can be said for sure now is: if Putin refuses the treaty, sanctions will be sharply increased. And the refusal itself will be another giant leap away from being a third world pole towards political dependence on China.SourceAbout the author: Vadym Denysenko, political scientist.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Ihor Chalenko, head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies, stated this on Espreso TV."The chances for success on the peace track exist, but they are diminishing with each passing day. It was quite obvious that the push made by the Trump administration, based on the Dmitriev-Witkoff plan, would not be accepted by the Ukrainian side. And after the plan was adjusted in Geneva, we saw a special operation by Russian special services to disrupt the process. The leak of negotiations between Ushakov and Witkoff, and between Ushakov and Dmitriev, is very reminiscent of an attempt by one of the influence groups in the Kremlin to derail the peace process," noted Chalenko.According to the head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies, the Kremlin is now trying to fracture the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine, as the publication of the tapes of conversations between Witkoff and Ushakov could not have happened without a direct order from Putin."That is, Putin tried to force Ukraine into another capitulation through the American approach, but he failed, and now everything is rolling back. However, it is worth noting that America is definitely not stepping aside. The only question that remains now is to what extent U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be able to continue coordinating the process," Chalenko added.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the issue.The source of the Bloomberg leak remains unclear. Theories abound: Moscow operatives engaged in internal power struggles between the Lavrov and Dmitriev factions, competing U.S. forces battling for influence following reports of chaos within the American delegation at Swiss negotiations, Ukrainian intelligence, or other actors entirely. The truth may never emerge, but the identity of the leaker matters less than the implications of the disclosure itself.What's evident is that this leak appears far from accidental. The timing is particularly damaging for Witkoff, coming at a moment when media attention is laser-focused on unfolding diplomatic events. More significantly, the disclosure surfaced just as reports indicated Witkoff would return to the Kremlin, effectively undermining the legitimacy of any agreements he might broker there. The audience for this scandal extends beyond Washington and Moscow—European allies are watching closely, as are key U.S. partners including Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.An intriguing detail emerged before the leak broke. In a recent speech, Trump stated: "I received a full report on the progress achieved together (from) Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles."The inclusion of Wiles in this context is unusual. She rarely features in discussions about peace negotiations, but her presence may be telling. Wiles managed Trump's election campaign and has long served as a gatekeeper, protecting Trump from his own impulses and shielding him from advisors who might cause critical damage.With midterm elections on the horizon, Wiles is gearing up for another campaign cycle with the same mandate: protect Trump from Trump and from dangerous liabilities. The Moscow connection has already cast shadows over previous elections, something Wiles would be keen to avoid repeating. Given that Secret Service documents and other sensitive materials pass through her office, her involvement takes on added significance.This points to a third reason the leak may be strategic: upcoming elections and the risk that Witkoff could further compromise Trump and Republican prospects. Left unchecked, Witkoff's backroom dealings could mushroom into a scandal rivaling that of Michael Flynn, Trump's first-term national security advisor who was caught conducting unauthorized communications with the Kremlin and ultimately forced to resign.Trump has predictably defended Witkoff. Admitting error isn't in his playbook—Trump never acknowledges mistakes about people or anything else. He's currently echoing whatever information was last presented to him. Not enough time has passed for the full weight of Witkoff-gate to register, or for advisors to fully brief him on the political risks. But Trump's loyalty has limits. Everyone becomes expendable when they threaten his interests, whether Elon Musk or Marjorie Taylor Greene.The critical objective now is ensuring that Witkoff-gate achieves the same status as the Flynn scandal in public consciousness—a controversy that triggered resignation, national security reviews, and treason investigations. Trump may never accept this framing, but if the media, Congress, and international partners treat it as such, the political pressure could make disposing of Witkoff easier than defending "an old friend."The leak creates two strategic opportunities: first, to remove Witkoff from diplomatic processes as a compromised figure; second, to cast doubt on any agreements he negotiates with the Kremlin should that become necessary.Trump won't admit fault in appointing Witkoff or acknowledge his compromise, just as he never did with Flynn. But Witkoff's term as special representative expires at year's end, and preventing its extension is paramount. The goal isn't public accusations or admissions of guilt, but quiet "recommendations" that Trump let Witkoff's authority lapse. Rumors of such a move circulated even before this scandal broke. The timing of the recordings' release—coinciding precisely with the decision on extending Witkoff's term—is no coincidence.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

Espreso correspondent Tetiana Vysotska reported the information."It's interesting that the Europeans have started to play this trump card of frozen assets. And if you listen to the statements of European politicians, they all said that they would look for a way to use the frozen assets of the Russian Federation for the benefit of Ukraine, thus continuing the pressure on Russia.It is also interesting that yesterday Macron said that in the coming days there are two priority issues – security guarantees for Ukraine and the use of frozen assets," Vysotska emphasized.According to the correspondent, Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in the European Parliament, noted that the European Commission has already prepared a legal justification for the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine."That is, the matter is moving forward, but there is still a small piece of work left – to convince Belgium, on whose territory the frozen assets are located. But, perhaps, if all the leading leaders and the European Commission already have a plan, then Belgium may agree to it, if it is legally flawless," Vysotska added.Ukraine has accepted the core terms of a U.S.-brokered peace proposal to end the nearly four-year war with Russia, though critical details remain unresolved and Moscow has yet to publicly respond to the agreement.

And it was the Russian special services who were listening. Therefore, I am 99% sure that the leak also came from the Russians."More precisely, from their so-called 'war party,' which sees a danger in the possible success of the group represented by Dmitriev, and in the rise of Dmitriev himself in such a case."This conditional 'war party' does not want the war to stop, because against its backdrop, they are carrying out a gigantic redistribution of assets, taking factories and steamships from those who are further from Putin. And money is needed for the war. Therefore, they are currently cutting the 'feeding trough' for anyone who is even slightly disloyal or not part of their clientele.This is the source of the mass falls from windows and the strange suicides of officials, company directors, and deputies.This does not mean that there is a 'peace party' in Russia.It's just that the conditional liberal-Chekists, among whom Dmitriev is one, want a little less open warfare in order to boost the economy. That is the only difference.So, the leak of the Ushakov-Dmitriev negotiations is, in my opinion, an echo of this under-the-carpet struggle for resources and influence over the aging tsar. Will this stop the negotiations? No. But it will slow them down significantly.So, here I agree with the assessment of the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Budanov. The window of opportunity for real agreements is February.Because by that time, the Russian offensive will have stalled somewhere. And winter will be coming to an end. Because the critical date for Ukraine, March 1st, will be approaching—by which it must be determined what we will live on in 2026 and whether Europe will provide the funds for it.Well, and now there is also the factor of this scandal.Something like that.SourceAbout the author. Bohdan Butkevych, journalist, serviceman.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.

Defense Express reported the information.India's Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed an agreement with France's Safran Electronics and Defence to establish local production of AASM Hammer guided air-to-ground munitions, with plans to eventually source 60% of components domestically through a 50-50 joint venture. The Indian Air Force and Navy already deploy these weapons on French Rafale and indigenous Tejas fighters, mirroring a capability that has proven highly effective in Ukrainian combat operations.The AASM Hammer has demonstrated exceptional performance in Ukraine's ongoing war, but current supply volumes fall far short of operational requirements. France planned to manufacture only 1,200 units this year, with Ukraine receiving just a portion of that production—a constraint that has military planners looking for alternatives to foreign dependency.Establishing domestic production would address multiple strategic imperatives for Ukraine. Beyond dramatically increasing supply volumes and reducing per-unit costs while strengthening the domestic defense industrial base, local manufacturing would provide crucial flexibility to scale production according to battlefield demands rather than export allocation decisions made in Paris.The case for localization becomes even more compelling when considering Ukraine's future fighter fleet composition. Kyiv has committed to purchasing 100 Rafale fighters, which use AASM Hammer as their primary precision-guided munition. Ukraine's existing Su-27, Su-25, MiG-29, and F-16 aircraft can already carry these weapons, meaning nearly the entire current Ukrainian Air Force inventory—and a significant portion of future platforms—could employ a standardized munition.With Ukraine also ordering 150 JAS 39 Gripen fighters, the potential for complete munitions standardization across the fleet presents significant logistical advantages. Using a single guided bomb type would simplify supply chains, reduce training requirements, and lower overall operational costs compared to maintaining multiple weapon systems.The AASM Hammer's technical characteristics make it particularly suited to Ukraine's operational environment. Unlike American JDAM-ER munitions, the French weapon incorporates a solid-fuel rocket motor that enables launches from lower altitudes and extends range—critical capabilities when operating in airspace contested by dense Russian air defense networks and fighter patrols.Recent uncertainty surrounding U.S. military assistance has also highlighted the risks of over-reliance on American weapons systems, whose supply can be interrupted by political decisions in Washington. A European alternative manufactured domestically would provide Ukraine with greater strategic autonomy and supply security during extended conflict.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported the information.The enterprise was hit, and a fire broke out at the facility afterward."The VNIIR-Progress plant is engaged in the production of GNSS receivers and antennas for the GLONASS, GPS, and Galileo satellite systems, including Kometa type modules used in Shahed-type 'kamikaze' drones, as well as in missiles for the Iskander-M and Kalibr complexes, and UMPK modules for aerial bombs," the General Staff noted.They added that the extent of the damage caused is being clarified.In addition, Ukrainian drones struck a command post of one of the units from the 58th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied Vasylivka, Zaporizhzhia region, a Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile system in Mariupol, brigade-level ammunition depots in Ocheretyne and Kamianka in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk region, as well as a location of enemy personnel accumulation in the Pokrovsk direction.What preceded this?Previously, the Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that the VNIIR-Progress enterprise, which produces Kometa antennas for the Russian army, had come under a drone attack. It was noted that these antennas are used to protect Russian strike UAVs from Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.On the night of November 26, residents of Cheboksary reported numerous explosions.According to Astra, five instances of attacks and fires were recorded in the city. Geodata showed that the drones hit the JSC VNIIR-Progress at 4 Yakovlev Street, and also damaged a residential building at 37 Mir Avenue.OSINT analysis confirmed the fire near the plant, and a video filmed from a distance of about 500 meters captured a direct hit by drones on the enterprise's building. Another video shows smoke after the attack, filmed from Mir Avenue — approximately 340 meters from the impact site.VNIIR-Progress is part of the ABS Electro production association. The plant has many years of experience in the development and production of scientific and technical products, software and hardware complexes, automation and control systems, electrotechnical products, electronic component bases, electronic modules, and radio-electronic products.On the night of July 5, Ukrainian forces attacked an enterprise of the Russian military-industrial complex in Cheboksary, which manufactures components for Shahed drones, Iskander-K missiles, and guided aerial bombs.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported the information."The situation in southern Ukraine, in particular in the Huliaipole direction, is currently really tense. The enemy is conducting active assault operations, increasing the number of artillery shellings and the use of 'kamikaze' drones," the report says.Over the past day, Russia carried out more than three dozen assaults, more than 500 artillery shellings using more than 2,100 munitions, about ten airstrikes, 250 drops from drones and almost 2,000 'kamikaze' drone attacks.The General Staff emphasized that despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian defenders are holding their positions, have stable communication and logistics, and are eliminating 250-300 soldiers and more than fifty pieces of equipment every day."Fierce battles are being fought for every meter of our native land. The situation in the direction is really difficult, but there is no encirclement, communication is maintained with our fighters, logistics are established, and the wounded are being evacuated. Moreover, the information about the so-called 'blocking detachments' that are blocking our units is not true," the department said. On the contrary, assault units are being sent to strengthen the defense. The command reacts promptly to changes: if possible, it holds positions, and if there is a lack of resources, it withdraws personnel to favorable lines in order to save lives and subsequently stop the enemy."The expediency of one or another decision can only be determined by those persons who have sufficient data on the operational situation at the front. Citizens and the media have the right to express their own point of view, share their thoughts and conclusions, but the main distributor of reliable information about the course of military operations is the General Staff," the report noted.The General Staff called on the media and the public to rely only on verified data and not to trust questionable sources that may work for the benefit of the enemy.As of November 15, the Defense Forces left Novovasylivske in the Zaporizhzhia region and retreated to more favorable defensive lines to save the lives of the military.

Evidently, its emergence is linked to a group within President Trump's circle—specifically Witkoff and Kushner—who were immensely impressed by the success they believe they achieved in brokering agreements between Israel and Hamas regarding the Gaza Strip. It seemed to them that a similar model could be applied to the Russian-Ukrainian war."But this was a completely flawed idea, as comparing the conflict between Israel and Hamas with the war between Russia and Ukraine is extremely dangerous and misguided. If only for the reason that Ukraine, unlike Hamas, is an independent state. Ukraine is a sovereign country that makes its own decisions about its future."Hamas, on the other hand, is dependent on a number of Persian Gulf states that seek good relations with the U.S., want to do business with them, and are authoritarian regimes. Ukraine, however, is a democratic country with a different goal: to survive and preserve itself as a state. It aspires to be a member of the European Union. Therefore, attempts to mechanically transfer the Gaza model to Ukraine are not just unacceptable, but also dangerous.This is precisely why Witkoff called Ushakov and suggested how Putin should act to disrupt the transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine and render Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the U.S. ineffective—a visit that was supposed to be successful but, in fact, became merely a formality. They truly succeeded in this first stage of the operation. Another of their goals was to cancel existing sanctions, prevent the adoption of new ones, and stop Ukraine from receiving a reparations loan from the EU.At that time, Dmitriev and Witkoff developed a 28-point plan that fully aligned with Russian interests—a plan to end the war by stripping Ukraine of its sovereignty and creating conditions for further occupation. Naturally, Ukraine could never support a document with such content. This is why Trump refrained from bringing this plan up for discussion for a long time.Subsequently, it is likely that either the Witkoff-Kushner group, seeking to profit from the plan's implementation, or the Russian side "leaked" the document into the information space. This forced Trump to publicly claim authorship and announce the start of the "plan's" implementation. If not for this information leak, the plan would have quietly "died" within the American administration: neither Rubio nor European partners would have ever supported it.Why it was important for Russia to publicize the plan in its original formRussia insisted that this specific, Russian version of the document become the basis for Trump's position. This is directly evidenced by the telephone conversations between Dmitriev and Ushakov, published by Bloomberg. It was critically important to them that the plan remain unchanged. As for the motive behind the emergence of the recorded conversations with Ushakov, the theory is this: after Rubio and European partners began to actively rewrite the document, making it acceptable to the West, Russia lost interest. To exit a process that no longer aligned with its goals, the recordings of conversations between Witkoff and Ushakov, and Dmitriev and Ushakov, were released. Because Putin does not need a real peace agreement for now."This large-scale information manipulation shows that Russia is ready to end the war—but exclusively on its own terms, which entail the liquidation of Ukrainian sovereignty and the complete defeat of Ukraine."Who in Ukraine supports this plan and whyThe people calling for the implementation of this plan are not actually advocating for peace, because peace cannot be achieved this way. Peace with Russia is possible only through strength. For this, we need support from the U.S.—in the form of sanctions—and support from the European Union, particularly funding for Ukraine in the form of a reparations loan or other instruments that will allow the state to survive the next year.Russia wanted to disrupt this very funding, which is why it initiated the most rapid promotion of its "peace plan" on its own terms.As always in such situations, politicians have emerged who are trying to take advantage of the chaos to earn the favor of Witkoff, Kushner, other people in Trump's circle, and perhaps even Putin himself. It is they who are promoting Russian narratives, calling for the plan's adoption, and voicing anti-European slogans that appeal to both Trump's circle and the Kremlin.After all, what unites these two forces today is the desire to see a weak Europe and to decide Europe's fate without Europe itself.On 'loss of sovereignty' as a tool of Russian and far-right propagandaSuch woeful politicians are imposing on Ukrainian society the narrative that Ukraine's accession to the EU would mean a loss of sovereignty. But these slogans are not new. All far-right parties that want to weaken the EU have been using them for many years.For instance, British politician Nigel Farage declares: "We must free ourselves from the shackles of the European Union and reclaim our sovereignty." Viktor Orbán says the same thing: "Brussels must respect our sovereignty. We will not allow its will to be imposed on us."All these forces—both in Great Britain and in the EU—oppose the European Union and simultaneously do not support Ukraine. Now, similar politicians are emerging in our country as well: they dream of coming to power through the support of Russia and certain groups in Trump's circle.But these dreams are dangerous for Ukraine. After all, it is precisely membership in the EU and the support of the EU that are our greatest guarantees of security, survival, and the very existence of the Ukrainian state.SourceAbout the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Ukrainian MP.The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of blogs or columns.

The Russian propaganda state agency TASS reported the information on November 26.According to Ushakov, the conversations with Witkoff were confidential and no one was supposed to disclose them.Ushakov added that Russia has not yet discussed the details of the peace plan with anyone, and a number of points require serious analysis. Also, according to him, the Russian Federation has not yet officially received the U.S. peace plan, but an "unofficial document exists."Putin's aide noted that the Russian Federation "views some aspects of the U.S. peace plan positively, but much requires discussion."In addition, Ushakov also expressed the opinion that Europeans are "interfering" in the peaceful settlement in Ukraine in a completely unnecessary way," noting that the Russian Federation and the U.S. are in contact regarding the peace plan, but there has been no serious "at the table" discussion.The aide to the Russian dictator summarized that the discussion of the United States' plan will take place during Steve Witkoff's visit. He also expressed hope that Witkoff will not come alone, but that "there will also be representatives of the Ukrainian team."According to Bloomberg, U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.

The lawmakers wrote about this on X."Actual traitor. Steve Witkoff is supposed to work for the United States, not Russia," stated Representative Ted Lieu.In turn, Congressman Dan Bacon stressed that Witkoff cannot be trusted to lead negotiations, calling for the special representative's dismissal."For those who oppose the Russian invasion and want to see Ukraine prevail as a sovereign & democratic country, it is clear that Witkoff fully favors the Russians. He cannot be trusted to lead these negotiations. Would a Russian paid agent do less than he?" Bacon wrote.American diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, called the disclosed conversation between Witkoff and Ushakov "shocking.""The job of all serving in national security jobs in the USG is to advance AMERICAN national interests, not the interests of other countries and especially not barbaric imperial warmongers like Putin," he emphasized.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'

Diplomat Oleh Shamshur stated this on Espreso TV."Regarding all these publications of Witkoff's conversations with Russian representatives, one can only guess how these recordings got to the journalists. Perhaps the publication of these conversations is beneficial to the journalists themselves to get some hot information; they certainly have their own sources for obtaining information," explained Shamshur.The diplomat considers it unlikely that the Russians themselves provided the recordings of Witkoff's conversations to Bloomberg journalists."Perhaps some of Witkoff's 'friends' leaked the recordings of his conversations with Ushakov and Dmitriev. There is also a theory, which is closer to a conspiracy theory, that the Russians themselves leaked this information to show how dependent Witkoff and others are on them. I believe such a scenario has a very low probability. Still, I believe that the leak of these conversations is a journalistic scoop to get more views and the possibility of obtaining new details," he added.U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised a top Putin aide on how to approach Donald Trump with a Ukraine peace plan, suggesting they collaborate on a proposal modeled after the Gaza ceasefire deal.U.S. President Donald Trump commented on media reports about past conversations between his special representative, Steve Witkoff, and Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov. He called them 'standard negotiation.'