Leaked Call Shows U.S. Envoy Advising Kremlin on Ukraine Peace Pitch Trump Backs Him

A leaked recording released this week revealed that Steve Witkoff, the personal envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, advised a senior Kremlin aide to frame a proposed Ukraine peace deal in a way that would appeal to Trump. The call conducted last month and published by Bloomberg triggered sharp criticism in Washington and across Europe.

The transcript offers a revealing glimpse into the origins of the controversial 28-point peace proposal surfacing this month. That plan, widely criticized for favouring Russian territorial gains and demanding major concessions from Ukraine including ceding occupied territories and capping its military now appears to have roots in had-to-Russia private discussions facilitated by a U.S. intermediary.

Backlash and Diplomatic Fallout: Outcry Over Unilateral Negotiation

News of the leak unleashed a wave of condemnation. Critics argue that the U.S., via Witkoff, bypassed Kyiv entirely negotiating behind Ukraine’s back, undermining trust with allies, and effectively aiding Moscow’s agenda.

Some U.S. lawmakers even called for Witkoff’s dismissal. One lawmaker asked bluntly whether the envoy was functioning as a “Russian paid agent,” asserting that such behavior disqualified him from leading sensitive diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Russian officials responded defensively. Ushakov neither confirmed nor denied the recording’s authenticity instead suggesting that it was leaked intentionally to sabotage U.S.–Russia relations. The Kremlin characterized the leak as “hybrid-warfare.”

Trump’s Response: “Standard Negotiations,” Not Grounds for Removal

Despite the uproar, Trump publicly backed his envoy. When asked on Air Force One about the recording, he called it “standard negotiating procedure,” insisting that diplomacy often requires frankness and tough deals. “He’s got to sell this to Ukraine. He’s got to sell Ukraine to Russia,” Trump said. “That’s what a dealmaker does.”

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