16 minutes ago
Last Updated:November 26, 2025, 19:38 IST
Trump defended special envoy Steve Witkoff after leaked audio showed him appearing to coach Russia’s Yuri Ushakov on elements of the proposed Ukraine peace plan.
US President Donald Trump speaks with special envoy Steve Witkoff. (IMAGE: AFP FILE)
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his special envoy Steve Witkoff after Bloomberg News published a leaked transcript of Witkoff’s October 14 phone call with senior Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov.
The audio appeared to show the envoy coaching the Russian side on how to frame a proposed Ukraine peace plan in a way that would appeal to Trump.
Asked by a reporter whether he had heard the recording, Trump insisted the contents reflected normal diplomatic bargaining.
“I haven’t heard it, no. But that is a standard thing, you know, because he has got to sell this to Ukraine. He has got to sell Ukraine to Russia. That is what a dealmaker does. You have got to say, ‘Look, they want this, you have got to convince them of this.’ That is a very standard form of negotiation," Trump said. He added that Witkoff was likely giving similar guidance to Kyiv because “each party has to give and take".
Bloomberg published excerpts from the conversation but did not disclose how it obtained access to what would normally be a highly sensitive call between senior officials of the world’s two largest nuclear powers. The outlet said it had reviewed a recording of the conversation.
Freudian slip?"He’s got to sell Ukraine to russia. That’s what a dealmaker does."
— Andrei A Dioumaev (@ADioumaev) November 26, 2025
The transcript showed Witkoff advising Ushakov that Russian President Vladimir Putin could strengthen the atmosphere for talks by calling Trump to congratulate him for the Gaza peace deal, emphasise that Moscow supported it and underscore that he respects Trump as “a man of peace".
Reporter: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?Trump: Well, I haven’t heard it, no. But that’s a standard thing, you know, because he’s got to sell this to Ukraine. He’s got to sell Ukraine to Russia. That’s what… pic.twitter.com/1n7Gz5mhWN
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 26, 2025
“From that, it is going to be a really good call," Witkoff reportedly told him.
Responding to the leak, Ushakov told Russian state media that the conversations with Witkoff were not meant for publication and should not have been leaked. He did not question their authenticity but said the motive appeared to be disruptive. “It is unlikely this is being done to improve relations," he said. Ushakov added that he speaks with Witkoff “quite often" but refused to discuss the substance of their exchanges, saying the talks were confidential.
The leaked transcript surfaced hours after Trump revealed that his Ukraine peace proposal had been “fine-tuned". He also announced that he was sending Witkoff to Moscow to meet Putin in an effort to resolve “a few remaining points of disagreement".
The Biden-era diplomatic framework has been under review since Trump took office, and the president has repeatedly argued that the war can be ended only through direct engagement with both Kyiv and Moscow.
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...
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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
November 26, 2025, 19:37 IST
News world 'He’s Got To Sell Ukraine To Russia': Trump Defends Envoy Heard Coaching Russians On Peace Plan
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