WASHINGTON, Oct 22 — US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff faced criticism Wednesday for calling Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” despite the Russian leader’s brutal war in Ukraine.
Witkoff made the comments as he met Putin in Saint Petersburg to secure the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American citizen who was detained for years after being arrested in Ukraine.
“You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian — you are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that,” Witkoff said, referring to Hubbard’s release.
The Kremlin said after the meeting between Witkoff and Putin that Russia was ready in principle to rejoin three-way talks with Ukraine and the United States to end the war.
