In brief
In response to a leaked audio recording indicating that special envoy Steve Witkoff was coaching a Russian official on negotiations, former President Donald Trump has defended Witkoff's approach as standard diplomatic practice. The conversation reportedly occurred just days after a controversial peace plan draft was presented, prompting discontent from Ukrainian and European leaders over perceived favoritism towards Russia. Witkoff's frequent trips to Moscow and future meetings with President Putin continue to stir discussions regarding U.S.-Russia relations.
Donald Trump has defended his 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 US president. Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he had not heard the audio, but that Witkoff was doing what a dealmaker does to sell a US-authored peace plan to both Russia and Ukraine. The leaked call from last month emerged days after the 28-point draft peace plan was presented by the US, which largely reflected Russian positions on ending 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 never gone to Kyiv in his role as special envoy, though other US officials have visited.Diplomatic talks have continued after the initial draft plan was criticized by Ukrainian and European leaders as being too favourable to Russia. The plan has since been revised to better reflect Ukraine's interests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated he is ready to meet Trump to discuss the remaining sensitive points regarding the peace plan.In the leaked audio, Witkoff appeared to advise Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, on how to get on Trump's good side. He suggested discussing Trump's peace achievements positively in order to facilitate improved dialogue. The leaked transcript indicates that Witkoff emphasized the need for a compromise between the conflicting nations.Amidst this diplomatic backdrop, Trump has appeared to soften his stance on military support for Ukraine, suggesting that he sees potential for peace talks as momentum builds.
