Witkoff Calls Putin 'a Humanitarian' After Release of American Teacher; GOP Senators Object
Photo: APUS special envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin "a humanitarian" in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, after Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher it had detained since 2022. Witkoff, President Donald Trump's lead negotiator on the Russia-Ukraine war, thanked Putin for the release. Republican senators criticized the remark. Susan Collins of Maine called Putin a warmonger and a thug, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina urged Witkoff to look up the word's definition. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota called Putin an evil killer and said he would rather die in a Russian prison than see Putin praised that way. Officials in Moscow downplayed the prospect of an imminent deal to end the war, now in its fifth year. Witkoff's visit followed meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders that a US official called constructive.
Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing; left-leaning and alternative outlets had. Alternative sources (The Hill, Semafor) covered Cramer's rebuke and Witkoff's talks, noting Moscow's cool response and pressure on Kyiv. Left sources (NBC News, MS NOW) framed it as Trump courting Putin to bring him to negotiations, quoting Collins and Tillis.
How the sides differ Left sources stress Trump's overtures to Putin and the remark's fallout; alternative sources cite Republican criticism and Moscow's cool response; right sources have not covered it.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
NBC News frames the remark as part of Trump's effort to flatter Putin into talks, quoting Republican senators Collins and Tillis; MS NOW argues it touched Putin's view of himself.
The Hill leads with Sen. Cramer's condemnation; Semafor reports Witkoff's talks with Putin, Moscow's doubts about a deal, and US pressure on Zelenskyy.