Trump envoy criticised for calling Putin ‘humanitarian’

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, faced criticism for labeling Russian President Vladimir Putin as "humanitarian" during a meeting in Saint Petersburg to secure the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard. Hubbard had been detained for years following his arrest in Ukraine. Despite the ongoing brutal war in Ukraine, Witkoff praised Putin, saying, "You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that."

He thanked Putin for Hubbard's release and commended the Russian leader. The Kremlin stated that Russia was in principle open to rejoining talks involving Ukraine and the United States to end the conflict. However, Witkoff's comments came at a time when Trump's shift away from Ukraine and towards Putin, who initiated the largest war in Europe since World War II, was drawing increasing scrutiny.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis expressed astonishment, questioning the definition of "humanitarian." Trump, while acknowledging the release of Hubbard, downplayed the significance of Witkoff's remarks. Vice-President Kamala Harris defended Witkoff's comments, stating that his job as a diplomat was to secure the release of an American hostage, regardless of the underlying sentiment.