DONALD Trump has backed his peace envoy for telling a Russian official to flatter the US President.
He brushed off the comments as part of doing a peace deal for Ukraine.
A leaked phone call revealed Steve Witkoff told Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy advisor how to manipulate Mr Trump, saying: “Just reiterate that you congratulate the President on this achievement, that you respect that he is a man of peace.”
Trump suggested Witkoff’s comment were a “standard” part of negotiations.
He said: “That’s a standard thing.
“He’s gotta sell this to Ukraine, he’s gotta sell Ukraine to Russia.
“That’s what a dealmaker does.”
Then he added: “I haven’t heard it, but I heard it was standard negotiation.
“And I would imagine he’s saying the same thing to Ukraine, because each party has to give and take.”
Russia condemned the leak as “hybrid warfare” and a bid to undermine peace in Ukraine.
The call took place as Russian officials were drafting a so-called peace plan to end their war in Ukraine.
