Witkoff Praises Putin as ‘Humanitarian’ After Russia Frees Stephen Hubbard
The remark came after Russia released 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard, as the Trump administration pushed to restart peace talks with Ukraine.
- On Wednesday, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian" in St. Petersburg, following Russia's release of 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard.
- Russian forces captured Hubbard in April 2022 in the Ukrainian city of Izyum on mercenary charges he denied; the Trump administration secured his release without a prisoner swap.
- Republican Senator Thom Tillis wrote "WTF, Steve?" and Senator John Cornyn declared Putin "a stone cold killer," while critics noted the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023 for alleged war crimes.
- Downing Street officials rejected the characterization, stating "We do not recognise that characterisation," while the Kremlin announced Putin would resume trilateral talks with Ukraine and the U.S. as soon as next month.
- Witkoff's ninth meeting with Putin comes as the Trump administration pursues a ceasefire before the war hits its five-year mark in February 2027, amid pressure to deliver results before November midterm elections.
211 Articles
211 Articles
Just hours after being bombed, we asked people in Kyiv about Witkoff's praise of Putin
On Oct. 21, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff gushingly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for being a "humanitarian." Just a few hours later, Kyiv once again came under a fresh barrage of devastating Russian missiles, killing at least one person and injuring over 20. "We thought this was a war and the destruction of Ukraine, but it turns out to be an act of humanity," Nataliia Stativko, a former journalist, told the Kyiv Independent on a s…
derwesten.de
During his visit to St. Petersburg, Trump's confidant Steve Witkoff nobles Putin. He immediately gets headwinds.
'The last thing I want…': Trump downplays Witkoff’s ‘humanitarian’ praise for Putin as Europe erupts
Donald Trump has responded to Steve Witkoff’s description of Vladimir Putin as 'humanitarian,' distancing himself from the remark as it draws criticism across Europe. Asked about Witkoff’s characterization of the Russian president, Trump said, 'The last thing I want…' as questions mounted over the US envoy’s comments following his meeting with Putin. The remarks have renewed debate over Washington’s approach to Moscow as diplomatic efforts to en…
Ukraine War: Negotiation results regarding Ukraine are not yet known. Russia has, however, released American professor Stephen Hubbard. The…
In the general use of language, this means someone who has a certain kind of human kindness within him, a characteristic that most would not necessarily attribute to Vladimir Putin.
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