U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is drawing heavy criticism after praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian following the release of 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard. Hubbard had spent four years imprisoned in Russia before being determined wrongfully detained. Over the past month, Russia has been intensifying its strikes against civilian and energy infrastructure to try to cripple the power grid before the brutal Ukrainian winter. According to u.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard released by Russia after 4 years in jail, and Trump, “no ‘swap.
Addressing Putin in St.
Petersburg on Wednesday during discussions centered on resolving the Ukraine conflict, Witkoff credited him for the release. You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian, Witkoff said to Putin. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again.
The remark triggered swift backlash from congressional Republicans. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis called the statement embarrassing and outrageous, urging Witkoff to visit Ukraine and ask families of affected children if they share that view. WTF, Steve?” wrote North Carolina Republican Sen. What an embarrassing and outrageous thing to say. Peace Through Profit: The Problem with Steve Witkoff’s Ukraine Strategy.
Texas Senator John Cornyn posted a video response rejecting the characterization outright, stating that Putin is a stone cold killer. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon also condemned the comment as another embarrassment.
The controversy follows recent moves by President Trump to waive fresh U.S. sanctions on Russia and ease restrictions on Russian diesel imports. Trump has also voiced growing frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Witkoff’s praise of Putin also comes as Mr. Trump made the surprise move last week to waive new U.S. sanctions on Russia two days before they were supposed to go into effect, defying Congress and his late friend, Sen. The waivers came one week after Mr. Trump had eased sanctions on Russian diesel and announced a deal with Putin to import diesel to the U.S. market. According to zelenskyy, It’s Putin who wants an endless war, not him.
Prior to his Russia trip, Witkoff met with Zelenskyy in Oslo, Norway. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized that preceding encounter as positive.
