Witkoff’s ‘Humanitarian’ Remark About Putin Sparks Bipartisan Outrage
President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff ignited a firestorm of criticism on Wednesday after praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” for releasing an American prisoner held in Russia. The comment came during a visit to St. Petersburg, where Witkoff was involved in negotiations that led to the release of Stephen Hubbard, a teacher accused by Russia of being a Ukrainian mercenary. Hubbard was freed after more than four years in detention, following a direct appeal from President Trump to Putin. While the release was welcomed, Witkoff’s characterization of Putin drew immediate backlash from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.nnSenator Don Bacon of Nebraska, who has been critical of the Trump administration’s handling of Russia and Ukraine, condemned the remark. “Calling Putin a humanitarian is absurd and dangerous,” Bacon said. “This is a man who has invaded a sovereign nation, targeted civilians, and imprisoned innocent Americans. We should not be praising him for doing the bare minimum.” Similarly, Senator Susan Collins of Maine, when asked about the comment on the campaign trail, replied, “I would describe Putin as a warmonger, a thug.” Collins’s sharp rebuke underscores the bipartisan nature of the outrage, as even some of the administration’s usual allies have distanced themselves from Witkoff’s words.nnThe release of Hubbard, a U.S. citizen, was a rare moment of cooperation between Washington and Moscow amid heightened tensions over the war in Ukraine. However, efforts by the Trump administration since early last year to end the conflict have made no significant progress, and there was no suggestion of an imminent breakthrough. The administration has faced criticism for its approach to Russia, with some accusing it of being too soft on Putin. Witkoff’s comment only adds to those concerns, raising questions about the administration’s willingness to hold the Kremlin accountable.nnMeanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking during a visit to Norway, emphasized the importance of early warning systems for ballistic missiles. “We are thankful that intelligence works now, and I’m speaking about early warning, which is very important for our people, for children, adults, civilians, because we can hear when ballistic is coming,” Zelensky said
Shimanta Das 
