A leaked recording of a phone call involving U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has stirred significant controversy amid ongoing efforts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. The leak, published by Bloomberg, reveals Witkoff advising a Russian official on strategies to gain President Donald Trump’s favor, including praising Trump as a “man of peace” and maintaining a positive tone. This revelation has raised questions about the impartiality and transparency of U.S. involvement in the peace talks. The call occurred in October, just weeks before Witkoff is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss a revised peace proposal backed by Trump. The initial draft of the plan faced criticism from Ukraine and European leaders for aligning too closely with Russian demands, including territorial concessions. Although the proposal has since been modified, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains cautious, expressing readiness to meet Trump to address unresolved issues. Trump defended Witkoff, describing him as a “dealmaker” focused on advancing the peace plan. The leak has added complexity to an already delicate diplomatic process, with Ukraine supporting the “essence” of the proposal but many details still under negotiation.