"President Trump is defending Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, after a leaked recording appeared to show him coaching a Russian official on how to better sell Moscow's terms to end the war with Ukraine to the U.S. president. Trump dismissed any concerns as "a standard thing." "Because he's got to sell this to Ukraine. He's got to sell Ukraine to Russia," Trump said, aboard Air Force One, on his way to Florida. "That's what a dealmaker does.""
"The controversy has shined a new spotlight on Witkoff, the president's long-time friend and chief negotiator who has drawn criticism for his lack of experience and go-it-alone style. The recording is of an October call in the lead up to the release of the original 28-point plan to end the war in Ukraine that favored Russia. Bloomberg reviewed audio of the call and published a transcript."
A leaked recording appeared to show Steve Witkoff coaching a Russian official on how to better sell Moscow's terms to end the war in Ukraine to the U.S. president. President Trump dismissed concerns as "a standard thing," saying Witkoff must persuade both Ukraine and Russia and calling that the work of a dealmaker. The recording predates a 28-point plan that favored Russia; Bloomberg reviewed audio and published a transcript while NPR has not independently verified it. Critics say Witkoff lacks experience and is carrying water for Russia. Trump plans to send Witkoff back to Moscow. Witkoff and Trump have been friends for nearly 40 years.
Read at www.npr.org
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