Trump envoy calls Putin a 'humanitarian' despite war crimes record

Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, called Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" during a meeting in St. Petersburg, a statement that has sparked outrage given Russia's documented record of civilian casualties in multiple conflicts. The remark came as Witkoff thanked Putin for releasing Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American detained for over four years. The compliment contradicts extensive evidence of Russian military actions, including the destruction of Grozny in Chechnya, bombings in Syria that killed nearly 7,000 civilians, and the invasion of Ukraine, where cities like Mariupol and Bucha saw thousands of civilian deaths. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023 over the deportation of Ukrainian children. Witkoff's language aligns with Trump's recent rhetoric toward the Russian leader. While diplomacy requires negotiating with adversaries, critics argue that praising Putin's humanitarian credentials ignores documented atrocities, including the downing of MH17, the killings of journalists and opponents, and Wagner Group activities in Mali.