(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump has come to the defense of key Ukraine negotiator Steve Witkoff following a report by a media outlet that claimed to have obtained a leaked phone conversation between Witkoff and a senior Kremlin official.

On Tuesday, the media outlet released what it described as a transcript of Witkoff’s discussion with Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov on October 14.

The authenticity of the transcript has not been verified by either the United States or Russia.

When asked aboard Air Force One whether Witkoff was “coaching” the Russians on how to handle him, Trump said he had no knowledge of the purported leak.

He characterized Witkoff’s method as “standard,” explaining that the envoy, a former real estate developer, needed to “sell” terms to both Russia and Ukraine.

“That’s what a dealmaker does. You got to say, ‘Look, they want this – you got to convince them with this.’ That’s a very standard form of negotiations,” Trump remarked.

“I would imagine he’s saying the same thing to Ukraine. Each party has to give and take,” he added.

When questioned about whether Witkoff was being “too pro-Russian,” Trump rejected the notion. “Look, this war can go on for years. And Russia has got a lot more people, a lot more soldiers. If Ukraine can make a deal, it’s a good thing. I think it’s great for both,” he said.

On the same day, the media outlet also released what it claims is a transcript of a phone call between Ushakov and Russia’s investment envoy and Ukraine negotiator, Kirill Dmitriev.

Dmitriev has denied the transcript’s authenticity. Russian officials have previously accused Western media of spreading disinformation aimed at undermining Trump’s mediation efforts.

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