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US ‘secretly working with Russia’ on plan to end war
The Independent
|November 20, 2025
Trump's envoy has reportedly held behind-the-scenes talks with Moscow to try and broker a new 28-point peace deal
Washington has been secretly forming a plan with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, according to a report.
The new 28-point plan would consist of “security guarantees, security in Europe, and future US relations with Russia and Ukraine”, Axios reported, citing sources. It comes amid a fresh attempt by the US to force through a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv after several diplomatic overtures faltered in recent months.
Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is said to have discussed the plan with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Volodymyr Zelensky’s security adviser Rustem Umerov, according to officials from Washington and Kyiv.
The proposal is reportedly inspired by Mr Trump’s plan for the Gaza ceasefire, which came into effect in October. While the plan succeeded in ending the war, it has not ended violence in the enclave and both Hamas and Israel have accused the other of breaching the agreement.

This story is from the November 20, 2025 edition of The Independent.
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