Hello and welcome to the details of Trump envoy draws criticism for calling Putin ‘humanitarian’ and now with the details
Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - Russia’s President Vladimir Putin greets US special envoy Steve Witkoff prior to their meeting in Saint Petersburg on October 21, 2026. — Sputnik handout pic via AFP
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.
“I commend you, and I thank you again.”
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.
But Witkoff’s comments come as Trump’s recent pivot away from Ukraine and towards Putin — the man who launched the biggest war in Europe since World War II — faces growing increasing scrutiny.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis, a frequent Trump critic in recent months, reacted with astonishment.
“WTF, Steve? Look up the definition of ‘humanitarian’,” he said in a post on X.
Trump brushed off the comments by Witkoff — a business friend whom he appointed roving envoy for the Ukraine, Iran and Gaza conflicts after he took office last year.
“Well, I guess you could say (it) for that particular purpose, for the purpose of allowing a man who was thinking he was going to be in prison for life out,” Trump said when asked about his envoy’s remarks.
“But you know, I wouldn’t say anything one way or the other.”
US Vice President JD Vance defended Witkoff’s comments.
“I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage,” Vance said at an event in Ohio.
“Whether you agree with the underlying sentiment or not, Steve Witkoff is a diplomat. His job is to go over there and get a job done.” — AFP
These were the details of the news Trump envoy draws criticism for calling Putin ‘humanitarian’ for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new.
It is also worth noting that the original news has been published and is available at Malay Mail and the editorial team at AlKhaleej Today has confirmed it and it has been modified, and it may have been completely transferred or quoted from it and you can read and follow this news from its main source.
