Witkoff Calls Putin a Humanitarian as Trump's Ukraine Approach Draws Scrutiny
Photo: NBC NewsSteve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's lead negotiator on the Russia-Ukraine war, described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian on Wednesday in St. Petersburg after Russia freed Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher held since 2022. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina publicly rejected the description, with Collins calling Putin a warmonger. The war is in its fifth year. Separately, the Washington Post reported that Washington is holding up Patriot interceptor transfers to Ukraine, and a Ukrainian official said only a couple remained. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said nothing is being deliberately denied.
Right-leaning Fox News backs Trump's goal of ending the war but focuses on interceptor supplies and asks what Putin must concede. Left-leaning NBC News centers on Witkoff's remark, Republican criticism and experts describing an effort to entice Putin to talks. The Hill, an alternative source, argues in its headline and brief excerpt that Putin is losing ground and should not be rewarded. All three question whether Trump's approach asks enough of Moscow.
How the sides differ Right sources focus on Patriot interceptor supplies and what Putin must concede; left sources focus on Witkoff's remark and GOP criticism; alternative sources argue Putin should not be rewarded.
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NBC News leads with Witkoff's remark and criticism from Republican senators Collins and Tillis, and cites foreign policy experts on Trump's aim of enticing Putin to negotiate.
The Hill's opinion headline and short excerpt argue Trump cannot deliver Ukraine to Putin, say Putin is losing ground, and urge against rewarding him.
Fox News supports ending the war but stresses delayed Patriot interceptors, citing the Washington Post, Rubio and Lockheed Martin figures, and asks what concessions Washington expects from Putin.