Trump envoy calls Putin 'humanitarian,' drawing fire from Republican lawmakers

After Wittkoff's remarks at Putin meeting go public, critics say: 'Truly embarrassing — Putin is a cold-blooded killer'

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) guides Steve Wittkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, during a meeting at Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday (local time). [Reuters]

Trump's words move global markets and economies. If keeping up with the flood of Trump news feels overwhelming, the Herald Business international desk — on the ground from 5 a.m. — curates the essential stories, from US market closes to global asset market developments, delivered in under a minute. Subscribe to the daily newsletter at the Herald Business website.

Steve Wittkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" on Wednesday (local time), drawing immediate criticism from American political figures.

Wittkoff made the remark during a meeting with Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia. "You often say that President Trump is a humanitarian. You are also a humanitarian. I salute that," he told the Russian leader.

Wittkoff said this while thanking Putin for releasing Steven Hubbard, an American who had been detained in Russia. Hubbard was seized by Russian soldiers shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when he was living there. Russia indicted him on charges of having a mercenary contract with Ukraine and held him for four years.

The remarks set off a sharp backlash in US political circles, with Republican lawmakers critical of Trump leading the condemnation.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) posted on X, formerly Twitter: "What in the world, Steve? Look up the definition of 'humanitarian.' Truly embarrassing and absurd." He added: "Go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin kidnapped and killed if they agree that your friend Putin is a 'humanitarian.'"

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) shared a video of Wittkoff's remarks on X and wrote: "No. Putin is a cold-blooded killer."

William Taylor, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, told CBS that Hubbard's release was "obviously a good thing," but added: "We should not give Russia any credit for releasing someone who should not have been in prison. And calling Putin a humanitarian is embarrassing."

Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court on charges of forcibly deporting children from Ukraine to Russia since the invasion. According to the UN, 328 civilians were killed in Ukraine in September alone as a result of Putin's invasion. Russian forces have also been intensively striking energy infrastructure across the country, Politico reported.

yckim6452@heraldcorp.com