Witkoff calls Putin 'humanitarian' after American's release; Zelensky responds as Russian strikes hit Kyiv

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" on Wednesday in St. Petersburg after Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher detained since 2022. Hubbard was reportedly held for allegedly fighting for Ukraine. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mocked the remark on X, saying Russia had launched three waves of ballistic missiles, 21 missiles in all, at Kyiv since Wednesday evening, hitting residential buildings, energy sites, a railway station, the metro and shopping malls. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, called Putin a warmonger and a thug, and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., criticized Witkoff on social media. President Donald Trump said Witkoff may have meant it for the particular purpose of Hubbard's release. Putin agreed Wednesday to trilateral talks with the U.S. and Ukraine, and Zelensky said he would accept a deal freezing the current front lines.

Right-leaning coverage (Washington Examiner) leads with Zelensky's rebuke and the Kyiv strikes, along with Trump's comment and the peace-talk developments. Left-leaning outlets (NBC News, MS NOW) focus on the remark itself, with NBC citing Republican criticism and experts on Trump's strategy toward Putin. Alternative / independent outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and right-leaning outlets had.