US President Donald Trump has publicly defended his key Ukraine negotiator, Steve Witkoff, against allegations that he has been ‘too pro-Russian.’ The controversy emerged after Bloomberg released what it claims is a leaked phone call between Witkoff and a top Russian official, though neither the US nor Russia has confirmed its authenticity. During a press briefing aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed the allegations, stating that Witkoff’s approach aligns with standard negotiation practices. ‘That’s what a dealmaker does. You got to say, ‘Look, they want this—you got to convince them with this,’ Trump explained. He emphasized Witkoff’s role in balancing the demands of both Ukraine and Russia to secure a peace deal. Despite the controversy, Trump reiterated his belief that Ukraine’s ability to negotiate a deal is beneficial for both parties, stating, ‘I think it’s great for both.’ The situation has intensified amid ongoing tensions between the US and Russia, with Russian officials accusing Western media of spreading disinformation to undermine Trump’s peace efforts. Additionally, US and Ukrainian negotiators met in Geneva, where Trump said his original 28-point peace plan was ‘fine-tuned’ with input from both sides.