After American’s release, Witkoff faces backlash for calling Putin a “humanitarian”

Praise draws sharp criticism

Witkoff praised Putin after the Russian leader released Hubbard, who had been determined to be wrongfully detained. The envoy made the comment in St. Petersburg during a visit focused on moving toward a resolution of the Ukraine war.

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis challenged the description, pointing to children kidnapped and murdered by Putin. Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon, who has criticized the Trump administration’s approach to Russia and Ukraine, called the remark “another embarrassment.”

Hubbard’s return welcomed

William Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who served during the Bush and Obama administrations, said Hubbard’s return was a good thing. In an interview with CBS News, Taylor also said Hubbard should never have been imprisoned in the first place.

Sanctions and diplomacy context

Witkoff’s praise came as Mr. Trump waived new U.S. sanctions on Russia last week, two days before they were due to take effect. The move defied Congress and Sen. Lindsey Graham, described in the article as Trump’s late friend.

War and infrastructure strikes

Witkoff’s St. Petersburg visit was aimed at advancing a resolution to the Ukraine war, which Putin started four and a half years ago. The article says Russia had intensified strikes against civilian and energy infrastructure over the previous month. Those attacks were described as an effort to cripple Ukraine’s power grid before the winter.