US President Donald Trump has defended special envoy Steve Witkoff as doing the 'standard thing' after a leaked recording appeared to show him advising a Russian official on how to appeal to the president. Trump told reporters on Wednesday he had not heard the audio, but that Witkoff was doing 'what a dealmaker does' to 'sell' the peace plan to both Russia and Ukraine. The leaked call from last month emerged after days after a 28-point draft peace plan presented by the US largely reflected Russian positions on its full-scale war in Ukraine.
Witkoff has visited Moscow several times this year and will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin again next week. He has not held talks in Kyiv, although other US officials have completed visits. Diplomatic talks have continued after the initial draft plan faced criticism from Ukrainian and European leaders for being too favorable to Russia. The plan has since been revised to better align with Ukraine's interests, with President Zelensky expressing willingness to discuss 'sensitive points' with Trump.
In the leaked audio, Witkoff appeared to advise Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, on strategizing for negotiations with Trump, describing the peace deal as a common goal. The conversation included suggestions for a positive approach to increase rapport between the two leaders. Trump's comments on the leaked audio highlight ongoing complexities in US-Russia relations and the urgent need for a workable peace proposal in Ukraine.
Witkoff has visited Moscow several times this year and will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin again next week. He has not held talks in Kyiv, although other US officials have completed visits. Diplomatic talks have continued after the initial draft plan faced criticism from Ukrainian and European leaders for being too favorable to Russia. The plan has since been revised to better align with Ukraine's interests, with President Zelensky expressing willingness to discuss 'sensitive points' with Trump.
In the leaked audio, Witkoff appeared to advise Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, on strategizing for negotiations with Trump, describing the peace deal as a common goal. The conversation included suggestions for a positive approach to increase rapport between the two leaders. Trump's comments on the leaked audio highlight ongoing complexities in US-Russia relations and the urgent need for a workable peace proposal in Ukraine.
