Republican senator slams Witkoff for calling Putin a 'humanist'

U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanist" during a meeting in St. Petersburg, sparking outrage among American politicians. The remark was made while discussing the release of American citizen Stephen Gabbard. Republican Senator Tom Tillis called the statement "nonsense" and "outrageous," while Senator John Cornyn said Putin is a "cold-blooded killer." Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal condemned Witkoff's "pathetic flattery" as betraying American values. Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended Witkoff, emphasizing the successful release of the American prisoner. The 74-year-old American was freed from a Russian prison on October 21 after being sentenced to seven years in 2024. He had been living in Izium, Kharkiv region, since February 2022.