{"id":1325624,"date":"2025-11-26T15:40:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T13:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/what-does-the-ushakov-dmitriev-vitkoff-conversation-leak-really-mean-five-scenarios-the-main-question-whose-game-is-this\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T07:54:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T05:54:51","slug":"what-does-the-ushakov-dmitriev-vitkoff-conversation-leak-really-mean-five-scenarios-the-main-question-whose-game-is-this","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prm.ua\/en\/what-does-the-ushakov-dmitriev-vitkoff-conversation-leak-really-mean-five-scenarios-the-main-question-whose-game-is-this\/","title":{"rendered":"Kremlin on Tape: The Ushakov\u2013Dmitriev\u2013Witkoff Leak That Blows Open a Hidden War for Power"},"content":{"rendered":"

The leaked conversations between Yuri Ushakov, Kirill Dmitriev, and Donald Trump associate Steve Witkoff are not a curiosity from Moscow\u2019s backrooms. They reveal how informal actors have begun to shape the diplomatic arena around the war in Ukraine \u2014 and how far major-power decision-making may already be operating beyond official frameworks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Five most likely scenarios:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1. Curtailment of informal initiatives<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The scandal has damaged trust at the interstate level and inside the negotiating channels alike.
Ukraine reiterates: \u201cNo decisions without Kyiv.\u201d<\/em>
Informal contacts are halted.
Witkoff is likely to be removed from any further involvement in the process.<\/p>\n

2. Reformatting the negotiation architecture<\/strong><\/h4>\n

To avoid additional reputational risk, the United States may formally appoint a new special representative \u2014 much as it once did with Kurt Volker. Dan Driscoll, a senior official from Vice President DiVince\u2019s team, is already positioning himself for the role.
The negotiation team would be reshaped, and clear, official parameters would be established.
Ukraine would return to the centre of the process.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Russia weaponises the leaks<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Kremlin pushes a familiar narrative: \u201cEven the United States wants a compromise, but Ukraine is blocking progress.\u201d<\/em>
This line is amplified through the UN system, selected media outlets, and so-called \u201cneutral\u201d states.
The aim is to pressure Ukraine\u2019s partners and sow division inside the pro-Ukrainian coalition.<\/p>\n

4. A domestic American scandal<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Witkoff\u2019s ties to Donald Trump turn the episode into campaign ammunition.
Congressional hearings are likely, and formal inquiries may\u00a0trigger formal scrutiny from the State Department.
Ukraine risks being pulled into a political confrontation it neither controls nor benefits from.<\/p>\n

5. Ukraine seizes the initiative<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The scandal gives Kyiv a chance to reaffirm a fundamental principle: that peace initiatives cannot proceed without its involvement.
Kyiv can push to broaden the Peace Formula and anchor firm principles for future security guarantees.
This is a chance to regain control of the diplomatic agenda \u2014 but it requires deciding who will represent Ukraine in Washington. Sending Andriy Yermak, whose reception there is far from favourable, may not serve that goal.<\/p>\n

But the main question that is on everyone\u2019s mind now is: Whose game was it anyway?<\/p>\n

1. Russian perspective<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Disrupt negotiations, discredit the United States, and sow division among allies.
The goal: create the impression that \u201cthe West itself wants to negotiate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

2. American perspective<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Remove the toxic actor (Witkoff) and halt behind-the-scenes agreements.
Reboot the process by cleansing it of scandal and restoring formal channels.<\/p>\n

Brief conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n