Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff Calls Putin ‘a Humanitarian’ During Meeting in Moscow

The president’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who was never confirmed by the U.S. Senate for any role, is in Moscow for negotiations with Vladimir Putin. The Russian government has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen that the Russians accused of fighting on behalf of Ukraine; the U.S. government formally designated Hubbard as a wrongful detainee in January 2025.

“You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir. And I salute that. I commend you, and I thank you again.”

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Jim Geraghty

Jim Geraghty is the senior political correspondent of National Review.

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The president’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who was never confirmed by the U.S. Senate for any role, is in Moscow for negotiations with Vladimir Putin. The Russian government has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen that the Russians accused of fighting on behalf of Ukraine; the U.S. government formally designated Hubbard as a wrongful detainee in January 2025.

“You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir. And I salute that. I commend you, and I thank you again.”