War and peace: Trump team now says Putin is a 'humanitarian'
Washington has called Russian President Vladimir Putin many things since his 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Joe Biden branded him “a butcher”, a “murderous dictator” and a “pure thug”. Four years later, the White House has a new adjective for the man wanted by the International Criminal Court: humanitarian. President Donald Trump ’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff used the descriptor yesterday as he met Mr…
The White House's current view of Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted dramatically. Where previous administrations labeled him a "butcher", a "murderous dictator" and a "pure thug", the Trump administration has described him as a "humanitarian". Steve Witkoff, a peace envoy from the Trump administration, referred to Putin in this manner during a meeting at the Constantine Palace in St Petersburg.
This labeling followed Putin's release of Stephen Hubbard, an American citizen detained since 2022. The comment has sparked outrage among US politicians, with Republican Senator John Cornyn branding it "embarrassing and outrageous". Despite this backlash, the Trump administration's stance is seen as a significant departure from the previous policies, which imposed sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The waivers from these sanctions, announced by Trump, are estimated to bring the country an additional $300 million to $700 million. This shift in perspective, while potentially beneficial for peace talks, raises concerns about the potential benefits for Putin's war efforts against Ukraine.
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Also reported by 8 other outlets
- War and peace: Trump team now says Putin is a 'humanitarian' thenationalnews.com
- Putin agrees to resume three-way peace talks with Ukraine and US abc.net.au
- Trilateral talks could be held in early November following Witkoff–Putin meeting, Zelensky says ukrinform.net
- Putin agrees to resume 3-way talks with Kyiv and Washington koreatimes.co.kr
- Putin agrees to resume three-way talks with Kyiv and Washington france24.com
- EU to discuss Ukraine funding at special November meeting english.nv.ua
- Ukraine's Zelensky Hopes For New Talks With Russia, US By Early November ndtv.com
- Putin releases hostage to U.S., drawing praise from Trump administration japantimes.co.jp
