Ukraine: Trump Envoy Sparks Outrage by Calling Putin Humanitarian

Witkoff’s remarks draw criticism

Witkoff praised Putin as a “humanitarian” during a face-to-face meeting in St Petersburg. The talks concerned Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the meeting coincided with Russia releasing American Stephen Hubbard.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis criticised Witkoff on X, telling him to look up the definition of “humanitarian.” Vance defended the envoy, saying he supported saying something positive to someone who had released an American hostage. Trump said he would not take a position on Witkoff’s description. He also said Hubbard’s release required no concessions from Washington.

Hubbard returns from detention

Trump described Hubbard as an innocent, high-quality man and said he had asked Putin to release him during a recent call. The president said no one was exchanged in return.

Kyiv hit by overnight missiles

Russian ballistic missile attacks struck several parts of Kyiv overnight on Thursday, injuring six people. Residential buildings, a car service station, a medical facility and a restaurant were damaged. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said debris struck another private home in the same district and that people might be trapped beneath the rubble.