Trump Defends Envoy Steve Witkoff After Leak Suggests Coaching Russian Official

Trump Defends Envoy Steve Witkoff After Leak Suggests Coaching Russian Official

US President Donald Trump has spoken out in support of special envoy Steve Witkoff after a leaked recording appeared to show Witkoff advising a senior Russian official on how to appeal to the president during peace negotiations.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said he had not heard the leaked audio himself but insisted that Witkoff was doing “what a dealmaker does.” According to Trump, the envoy was working to “sell” the emerging peace plan to both Russia and Ukraine.

The recording, reportedly from mid-October, surfaced shortly after the US presented a 28-point draft peace plan. That draft drew criticism for appearing closer to Russia’s preferred positions in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

    Witkoff’s Role Under Growing Scrutiny

According to CNN Witkoff has traveled to Moscow several times this year and is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin again next week. Notably, he has not visited Kyiv in his role as special envoy, though other US officials have—including US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who visited the Ukrainian capital this week. Trump has also said he will hold further discussions with Ukrainian leaders.

Following international criticism, the initial peace plan has since been updated to better reflect Ukraine’s interests and align with the views of key European allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he is open to meeting Trump to resolve remaining “sensitive points.”

    What the Leaked Call Revealed

The call, published in transcript form by Bloomberg, allegedly features Witkoff advising Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, on how to prepare for a conversation with Trump. BBC News has not independently verified the recording.

According to BBC During the discussion, the two men reportedly talked about steps toward ending the war. Ushakov asked whether a direct conversation between Trump and Putin would help move talks forward.

According to the transcript, Witkoff responded that Trump was ready for such a call and suggested emphasizing praise and a shared interest in peace:

"Congratulate the president… respect that he is a man of peace… I think from that it’s going to be a really good call.”

Witkoff also indicated he had told Trump that Russia “has always wanted a peace deal,” adding that both countries were struggling to reach a compromise. He even floated the idea of drafting a new 20-point peace proposal, similar to the structure used in Gaza negotiations.

The call reportedly ended with Witkoff mentioning an upcoming Zelensky visit to the White House and suggesting that, “if possible,” Trump and Putin should speak beforehand.

     A Shift in Tone After the Trump Putin Call

Shortly after the leaked conversation, a two-and-a-half-hour phone call took place between Trump and Putin. News of the call emerged as Zelensky was en route to Washington.

Before the conversation, Trump had publicly expressed frustration with Moscow and hinted he might send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. However, when Zelensky arrived at the White House, Trump’s tone had shifted. He warned that sending Tomahawks could escalate tensions and added that he believed Putin “wants to end the war.”

    Questions Over the Source of the Leak

Russian adviser Yuri Ushakov told state media that the leak seemed intended to “hinder” discussions rather than improve relations. He also confirmed that Witkoff’s upcoming visit to Moscow was still expected to happen under a prior agreement.

Bloomberg also shared a second alleged transcript—this time of a call between Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, a Putin envoy who had met with Witkoff in Miami weeks before the draft peace plan was revealed. In the transcript, Dmitriev reportedly suggests preparing a document “from our position” and passing it along informally to US counterparts.

Reacting to the report, Dmitriev criticized what he called “a well-funded, well-organised malicious media machine” spreading misleading narratives.