The full transcript of the call between Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian adviser Yuri Ushakov

The transcript was prepared after Bloomberg reviewed a recording of the call.

Steve Witkoff (SW): Hola, Yuri.

Yuri Ushakov (YU): Yes, Steve, hello, how are you?

SW: Okay, Yuri. How’s it going?

YU: I’m fine. Congratulations, my friend.

YU: you did a great job. Simply great work. Thank you so much. Thank you, thank you.

SW: Thank you, Yuri, and thank you for your support. I know your country supported it and I thank you.

YU: Yes, yes, yes. Yes. You know that that is why we suspended the organization of the first Russian-Arab summit.

YU: Yes, because we think they are doing real work there in the region.

SW: Well, listen. I’m going to tell you something. I think, I think that if we can resolve the Russia and Ukraine issue, everyone will be jumping for joy.

YU: Yes, yes, yes. Yeah, you just need to solve a problem. (laughs)

YU: The war Russian-Ukrainian.

SW: I know! How do we solve that?

YU: My friend, I just want your advice. Do you think it would be useful if our bosses talk on the phone?

YU: Do you believe it? And when do you think it would be possible?

SW: I think as soon as you suggest it, my man is ready to do it.

SW: Yuri, Yuri, this is what I would do. My recommendation.

SW: I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president for this achievementthat you supported him, you supported him, that you respect that he is a man of peace and that you’re, you’re really glad that you saw it happen. So I would say that. I think that from that it will be a very good call. Because — let me tell you what I told the President. I told the president that you, the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace agreement. That is my belief. I told the president that I believe that. And I think the question is, the problem is that we have two nations that are having a hard time reaching a compromise and when we do, we are going to have a peace agreement. I’m even thinking that maybe Let’s establish a 20-point peace proposal, just as we did in Gaza. We put together a 20-point Trump plan that was 20 points for peace and I’m thinking maybe we’ll do the same with you. My point is this…

YU: Ok, ok, my friend. I think that same point could be discussed by our leaders. Hey Steve, I agree with you that he will congratulate, say that Mr. Trump is a true man of peace and so on. That’s what he will say.

SW: But this is what I think would be amazing.

SW: What if, what if… listen to me carefully…

YU: I will discuss it with my boss and then get back to you. OK?

SW: Yes, because listen to what I’m saying. I just want you to say, maybe just say this to President Putin, because you know I have the deepest respect for President Putin.

SW: Maybe I’ll tell President Trump, you know, Steve and Yuri discussed a very similar 20-point peace plan and that might be something that we think could move the needle a little bit, we’re open to that kind of thing, to exploring what it takes to get a peace deal done. Now, from me to you, I know what it will take to achieve a peace agreement: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere. But I’m saying that instead of talking like that, let’s talk with more hope because I think we’re going to reach an agreement here. And I believe, Yuri, that the president will give me a lot of space and discretion to reach the agreement.

SW: …so if we can create that opportunity that after this I talked to Yuri and we had a conversation, I think that could lead to great things.

YU: Ok, that sounds good. Sounds good.

SW: And here’s one more thing: Zelensky comes to the White House on Friday. YU: I know. (Muffled laughter) SW: I will go to that meeting because they want me there, but I think that, if possible, we have the call with your boss before that meeting on Friday. YU: Before, before, yes? SW: Correct. YU: Ok, ok. I have your advice. So I’ll discuss it with my boss and then get back to you, okay?

SW: Ok, Yuri, we’ll talk soon.

YU: Great, great. Thank you so much. Thank you.