The White House pushed back against criticism, including from within the Republican Party, that US President Donald Trump is favoring Russia in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

“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,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday.

Leavitt also said Trump was “hopeful and optimistic” that a plan could be worked out for ending the war triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)