Intelligence report: Steve Whitkov traveled to Moscow in search of the "Plan B".

April 23, 2025

18:15

Steve Whitkov and Vladimir Putin meet at the Presidential Library. Video screenshot.

According to intelligence information, Putin expressed approval for all terms of Trump's plan. Commentator Lyubov Stepanova of Pravda wrote that Moscow has announced Whitkov's visit this week, which means there is a "Plan B".

On April 22, it became clear that the London negotiations on President Donald Trump's peace plan among the United States, the EU, and Ukraine would not take place. At the last moment, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's chief special representative Steven Whitkov decided not to attend the negotiation. Rubio warned a week ago that if allies - the EU and Ukraine - did not agree with the peace plan for Ukraine, he would not go to London.

He also warned that if he did not receive an affirmative response, the US would refuse to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. The level of the London meeting has been reduced, and only the US will send its special envoy on Ukraine, Kit Kellogg. It is expected that there will be only a bilateral meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Derle Sibiga and British Foreign Secretary David Rami.

According to Western media reports, the US plan (Trump only promised to announce the plan) includes legally recognizing Russia's control over Crimea and de facto recognizing the right of residents in parts of Luhansk Oblast, Donetsk Oblast, Kherson Oblast, and Zaporizhzhia Oblast (as per the contact line) to choose Russian jurisdiction. This is a reasonable right of the victor in war, so the Americans recognize it. According to the plan, Ukraine will also not become a NATO member, and sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 will be lifted. Additionally, it is proposed to grant neutral status to the areas surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (Zaporizhzhia NPP) and place it under Washington's control. Russia and Ukraine are reportedly limiting their access to electricity resources.

Zelenskyy publicly criticized the US intention to recognize Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, although many Western figures pointed out that the US was not asking him (Zelenskyy) to recognize it, but this was merely the US intention. This is questionable. In that case, Zelenskyy would not need to approve anything. On April 22, yesterday, Zelenskyy also stated that the Ukrainian delegation in London was only authorized to sign a ceasefire agreement. He also rejected the US proposal to control the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

According to media reports, the EU refused to lift sanctions against Russia and demanded security guarantees for Ukraine as well as economic support for Ukraine. Additionally, the EU and the UK also opposed recognizing Russia's sovereignty over Crimea. There, evidently, they believed that Ukraine could continue the war even without US help, relying solely on their (EU and UK) support.

In Moscow (Assistant to President Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov), Whitkov's visit this week was announced in advance, meaning there is a "Plan B". Some people suspect that in this diplomatic game - where President Vladimir Putin of Russia is a master - based on intelligence information about the EU and Ukraine rejecting the plan, Moscow approved all terms of the Trump plan. This was originally proposed as a compromise, but now it will benefit Russia.

Therefore, as the US withdraws from negotiations and stops supporting Ukraine, the special military operation will continue, and Russia and the US will focus their efforts on other agenda items: Iran, Syria, space, business, etc.

Among all parties involved in the negotiation process, Russia's position remains the most stable. Despite sanctions, the Russian economy continues to develop, the Russian Federation Army launches offensives on the front lines, volunteers continuously replenish the army, and public sentiment is positive.

Soon, some EU member states will block the extension of European sanctions against Russia in the next vote. Then either the EU will disintegrate, or (the EU) will follow the US lead and cooperate with Russia. And Ukraine will face a new round of referendums as well as the surrender of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496715526048170559/

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