The US-backed 28-point peace plan to end the conflict in Ukraine has just revealed more eye-catching details, as three sources from the British news agency said the document was based on a document drafted by Russia and sent to the Trump administration in October.
The document was forwarded by Russia to senior US officials after a meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington.
The document reflects Moscow's demands during the negotiations, including Ukraine ceding a significant amount of its territory in the east. Kiev has denied the terms in advance.
This is the first time it has been confirmed that Russian documents are an important source of reference for the US 28-point plan.
The White House did not comment directly on the document but quoted President Trump as saying he was optimistic about the plan's progress. He said he had directed special agent Steve Witkoff to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll would work with Ukraine.
Several US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have assessed that Russia's demands are unlikely to be accepted by Ukraine.
After receiving the documents, Mr. Rubio discussed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In Geneva, Mr Rubio confirmed that he had received many of these documents but did not provide details.
Since the plan was disclosed, many US officials and lawmakers have expressed skepticism, saying its content is closer to Russia's stance than a neutral proposal. However, the US is still pressuring Ukraine, warning that it could reconsider military support if Kiev does not sign.
The plan was partly drafted during a meeting in Miami between Jared Kushner (son-in-law of Donald Trump), Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's national Treasury fund. Few people in the White House and the State Department were informed of the meeting.
Another development reported by Bloomberg shows that Witkoff had made a recommendation to the Kremlin's top assistant, Yuri Ushakov, about how President Putin should discuss with President Trump. The two sides even mentioned the possibility of building a "20-point plan", before expanding the scope in subsequent discussions.
