UK rejects US envoy's 'humanitarian' label for Putin

The UK government has publicly rejected US envoy Steve Witkoff's description of Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian," with Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander stating the government "simply do not recognise" that characterization. Alexander emphasized the UK's stance that Putin illegally invaded Ukraine and his government has been responsible for conduct including attempted assassinations on UK soil. He reaffirmed Britain's full support for Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine's fight for freedom. The dispute follows Witkoff's meeting with Putin, after which Moscow agreed in principle to resume peace talks. Despite this, Russia has continued missile strikes on Kyiv, and UK officials stress any peace must include security guarantees for Ukraine.