The White House on Monday responded to criticism, including from the Republican Party, regarding the allegation that US President Donald Trump supports Russia in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, reports AFP.

“The idea that the United States of America is not engaging with both sides equally in this war to bring it to an end is a complete and total fallacy,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Leavitt added that Trump was “hopeful and optimistic” that a plan could be worked out to end the war in Ukraine.