Witkoff calls Putin a ‘humanitarian’ after Russia releases US prisoner

US negotiator Steve Witkoff presented new proposals to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in a three-hour meeting, aiming to end the Russian war against Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed Putin discussed the proposals with Witkoff, but they have not yet revealed any outcomes. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow stated that Russia would review the suggestions, emphasizing that Ukraine is primarily interested in their evaluation.

Putin announced the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was serving a long sentence for allegedly being a mercenary fighting against Ukrainian forces. Hubbard, over 70 years old, was freed on humanitarian grounds. President Trump praised the release, stating it was not contingent on an exchange. Trump highlighted this as an unprecedented situation for Russia.

Putin also thanked Trump for his efforts to end the Ukraine war and expressed hope for a November meeting with both Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Shenzhen, China. Witkoff hopes for concrete steps towards a peace process after the meeting and mentioned that Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, would join the conversation via phone.

Russian media reported that Kushner declined to attend the meeting due to health concerns. Peskow reiterated Russia's demand for Ukraine to retake the Donbas region, which currently still holds strategically important cities. The Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, has consistently refused such an offer, considering it a capitulation.

Putin showed interest in economic cooperation with the US, mentioning that Russia could supply large amounts of fertilizer to the American market. The first tanker with 40,000 tons of diesel is set to depart on Thursday, followed by additional tankers in the coming days. US negotiator Witkoff had also discussed the situation with European leaders in Norway on Tuesday.

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre told NRK that Witkoff would return to Oslo after his meetings in Russia, expecting a follow-up meeting there. The Ukrainian president hopes for a resolution from the US side to end the war, rather than prolong it. Ukraine has been under intense pressure for over four and a half years, fighting a war with Russian aggression, especially as the cold season approaches and energy infrastructure comes under heavy attack.

Russia hopes that another winter of war will break Ukrainian resistance. Zelensky recently suggested a mutual ceasefire for attacks on energy facilities, but Putin has rejected this proposal so far.