US President Donald Trump has defended his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, after an audio leak suggested he “coached” Russian officials on how to appeal to Trump regarding a Ukraine peace plan. Trump called Witkoff’s advice a “standard thing” in negotiations.
The leaked audio, published by Bloomberg News, captures a conversation from October 14 between Witkoff and Russian foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. The discussion reportedly focused on ways to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
What the Leaked Audio Show?
In the recording, Ushakov reportedly asked Steve Witkoff if arranging a direct conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could help progress peace talks.
Witkoff responded, “My guy is ready to do it,” and outlined a possible approach to set up the call. He advised, “Just reiterate that you congratulate the president [Trump] on this achievement… that you respect that he is a man of peace and you’re just, you’re really glad to have seen it happen.”
Trump dismissed concerns about the US providing guidance to Russia, saying it was “a very standard form of negotiations.”
Witkoff reportedly told Ushakov, “I told the president that you, that the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal. That’s my belief. The issue is that we have two nations that are having a hard time coming to a compromise.”
The call concluded with Witkoff suggesting a potential visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House and asking Ushakov to arrange a phone call between Trump and Putin “if possible.”
Russia Condemns Leak
Russian officials condemned the release of the audio, calling it “an unacceptable attempt to undermine Ukraine peace negotiations” and describing it as “hybrid warfare.”
Ushakov told Reuters, “This is unacceptable,” adding that the conversations were not meant for public release. He claimed the leak appeared designed to obstruct dialogue between the US and Russia.
In an interview with Kommersant, Ushakov said some discussions were conducted via encrypted government channels “which are rarely intercepted and leaked unless one of the parties deliberately intends to do so.”
Trump Stands by Steve Witkoff
Despite the controversy, Trump stood by his envoy. He insisted that what Steve Witkoff did was standard practice in diplomatic negotiations and emphasized that the US consistently seeks peace solutions.
Analysts say the leak could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts. Even minor public revelations can inflame tensions between countries and undermine trust in sensitive negotiations.
Diplomatic Leaks and Global Peace Talks
Experts warn that leaks like these can have long-term consequences. While the US and Russia are not directly at war, sensitive diplomatic discussions are critical to preventing escalation.
Leaked communications can give external observers and media narratives undue influence, potentially shifting the balance in negotiations. Analysts say governments may need stronger safeguards against accidental or deliberate leaks, especially in conflicts as delicate as Ukraine.
