Witkoff’s ‘Humanitarian’ Salute to Putin Sparks US and Ukrainian Criticism

Witkoff’s ‘Humanitarian’ Salute to Putin Sparks US and Ukrainian Criticism/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” during talks in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. The praise followed Russia’s release of American Stephen Hubbard and drew sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers. The controversy unfolded as Washington sought renewed negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, holds a paper while speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantin Palace in Strelnya, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, gestures during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Konstantin Palace in Strelnya, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Quick Look

The remarks: Witkoff told Putin, “You are a humanitarian also, sir.”
The context: Russia released imprisoned American Stephen Hubbard.
The mission: Washington is seeking renewed negotiations involving Russia and Ukraine.
The backdrop: Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure continue.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., asks former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith questions at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

FILE – Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas questions U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., speaks to reporters as Republicans meet to decide who to nominate to be the new House speaker, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

FILE – Director of the Presidential Personnel Office John McEntee is seen on the South Lawn of the White House, Aug. 27, 2020, in Washington. Former President Donald Trump is seeking to distance himself from a plan for a massive overhaul of the federal government drafted by some of his administration officials, including McEntee. Some of these men are expected to take high-level roles if the Republican presumptive nominee is elected back into the White House. Trump is saying on Truth Social that he “knew nothing about Project 2025.” (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Deep Look

Witkoff Salutes Putin During St. Petersburg Meeting

President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” on Wednesday, prompting condemnation from U.S. lawmakers during a diplomatic mission aimed at reviving negotiations over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The comments came as Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The United States had designated him wrongfully detained.

“You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again,” Witkoff told Putin in remarks captured on video.

Witkoff linked his thanks to Hubbard’s release, telling the Russian leader: “Because of you, he’s going home to his family.”

Trump said he had personally requested Hubbard’s freedom during a telephone conversation with Putin and asserted that Washington had provided nothing in exchange. That was the president’s account of the arrangement.

Republican Lawmakers Reject Witkoff’s Praise

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., challenged Witkoff’s description of Putin in a post on X.

“What an embarrassing and outrageous thing to say,” Tillis wrote, questioning whether Ukrainian families affected by Russia’s conduct would share the envoy’s assessment.

Other Republicans also objected.

“No. Putin is a stone cold killer,” Late. John Cornyn, R-Texas, wrote in response to the video.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb.called the remarks “another embarrassment.”

Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, rejected the characterization and invoked the civilians killed in Bucha during Russia’s occupation.

Ukrainian Committee Chair Calls for Resignation

Ukrainian parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair Oleksandr Merezhko urged Witkoff to resign, telling The Independent he was unfit for diplomacy.

Praise Comes Against Backdrop of Russian Attacks

Witkoff’s description of Putin stood against the continuing civilian toll of Russia’s invasion and its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

Ukrainian authorities reported five deaths in Russian attacks on Kyiv and near Kharkiv overnight into Wednesday. Energy facilities were also targeted.

Putin remains subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued in 2023 over allegations involving the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. The warrant concerns alleged war crimes; it is not a conviction.

Kremlin Says Trilateral Negotiations Could Resume

Witkoff’s meeting followed talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders in Oslo on Tuesday.

After Wednesday’s discussions, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin had agreed “in principle” to resume negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States after Nov. 10.

The announcement did not establish a ceasefire or a final settlement. Russia and Ukraine remain divided over territory and the security arrangements that would accompany any agreement.

Hubbard’s release provided a concrete result from the visit. Witkoff’s praise of Putinhowever, brought a separate dispute over how an American envoy should characterize the leader directing Russia’s invasion.