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Trump envoy Steve Witkoff praises Putin as ‘humanitarian’ as Ukraine peace talks hang in the balance

US special envoy Steve Witkoff complimented Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” during their meeting in St. Petersburg -- as President Trump desperately tries to get Russia back to the negotiating table to end the Ukraine war.

Sources (2)· Oct 21, 1:45 PM to Oct 21, 7:06 PM

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firstNew York Post
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Before

Musk ordered Starlink slowdown in Ukraine: WSJTesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of Starshield, the military version of Starlink internet, which Ukraine said hampered its ability to respond to Russian attacks, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter. The disruption impacted Ukraine’s drones, airplanes and helicopters, a source…

The Hill16h agoSources (3)Whole story →

Technology ukraine conflict update

U.S. Midterms Loom Over a Deadlock Between Trump and TehranRenewed military conflict before or after the midterms won’t resolve the disputes the United States and Iran will eventually have to confront across the negotiating table.

Time16h agoWhole story →

'Sheer insanity': Trump's envoy skewered as he fawns over dictator with 'cringe' remarksPresident Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Peace Missions, Steve Witkoff, prostrated himself before Russia's Vladimir Putin at a summit on Wednesday — despite Putin's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, butcher of civilians, and the lack of any progress in getting him to back off his demands for territorial and political control of his neighbors. "You talk so…

Raw Story16h agoWhole story →

NYC Politician Lander Detained by Israel During Olive HarvestIsraeli forces briefly detained Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for Congress from New York, as he and a group of rabbis and other volunteers took part in a West Bank olive harvest with Palestinian farmers.

Bloomberg17h agoWhole story →

Trump Envoy Gives Nauseating Praise of Putin as Russia Frees AmericanTrump administration envoy Steve Witkoff thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “humanitarian.” The comment came after Russia on Wednesday released 74-year-old Stephen James Hubbard, an American who spent four years locked up under accusations of being a Ukrainian mercenary. “He’s a 75-year-old man. You talk so much about my president, President…

The New Republic17h agoWhole story →

Since

Trump hopes to flatter Putin into negotiating on Ukraine, experts sayA Trump diplomat called Putin “a humanitarian,” another in a recent flurry of overtures to the Russian leader. But it’s unclear whether blandishments will entice him to strike a deal.

NBC News5h agoWhole story →

Son of Stephen Hubbard, American freed from Russian jail, speaks outIn an interview with CBS News after Stephen Hubbard was released from Russian custody, his son, Fr. Joseph Coleman, said his father might have made a mistake in staying in Ukraine when the war began.

CBS News5h agoWhole story →

U.S. and Israel Draw Up Plans for Renewed Strikes on Iran After ElectionsRenewed hostilities might not be any more successful than the war’s first phase, and President Trump has repeatedly canceled plans for a return to major combat.

The New York Times5h agoWhole story →

Putin orders release of jailed American as he meets Trump envoy for Ukraine talksRussia frees Stephen Hubbard after US request while Steve Witkoff praises Putin, wanted by ICC as war criminal, as a ‘humanitarian’ Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American man from a Russian jail as he met Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid increasingly close…

The Guardian5h agoWhole story →

WSJ editors blast Trump after he caves in hostage deal: ‘No cause to be grateful’A conservative editorial board threw cold water on one of President Donald Trump's latest diplomatic wins , warning his team was getting played. The Wall Street Journal's editorial board wrote Wednesday that there is "no cause to be grateful" to Russian President Vladimir Putin for freeing Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher jailed in Russia…

Raw Story4h agoWhole story →

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Donald Trump’s Ukraine Envoy Faces Backlash For Calling Vladimir Putin ‘A Humanitarian’Steve Witkoff praised the Russian president for releasing a U.S. citizen, with GOP lawmakers furious at the characterization.

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Putin orders release of jailed American as he meets Trump envoy for Ukraine talksRussia frees Stephen Hubbard after US request while Steve Witkoff praises Putin, wanted by ICC as war criminal, as a ‘humanitarian’ Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American man from a Russian jail as he met Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid increasingly close…

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Witkoff blasted for calling Putin a "humanitarian"After special envoy Steve Witkoff told Putin he was a "humanitarian" for releasing a U.S. citizen deemed to have been wrongfully detained, GOP Sen. John Cornyn responded, "No. Putin is a stone cold killer."

CBS News9h agoWhole story →

Witkoff to Meet Russian Leadership on Ukraine, Norway PM SaysUS envoy Steve Witkoff will fly to St. Petersburg to meet Russian leadership on Wednesday after talks in Oslo to get peace talks to end the war in Ukraine back on track, Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said on Tuesday.

Bloomberg2d agoWhole story →

Security ukraine peace talks

Who is Stephen Hubbard, imprisoned American released by Russia?Russia on Wednesday released American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who was serving a seven-year prison sentence after prosecutors accused him of working with Ukraine as a mercenary following the Russian invasion that launched the war between the two countries. President Trump announced the development on Truth Social after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff…

The Hill15h agoSources (2)Whole story →

Witkoff faces backlash after calling Putin a 'humanitarian'Special envoy Steve Witkoff is facing criticism from lawmakers after calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” for releasing an American who has been held in Russia for years. President Trump had made a direct appeal to Putin for the release of Stephen Hubbard, a teacher who was accused of being a Ukrainian mercenary. Hubbard...

The Hill16h agoWhole story →

Witkoff to present Putin with peace proposal after talks with ZelenskyWhite House envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday and present him with an updated proposal to end the war in Ukraine , a U.S. official said. President Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner will join the meeting virtually. Why it matters: The White House hopes Putin will show more willingness…

Axios1d agoWhole story →

Security ukraine peace talks

Putin tells Witkoff he is ready to resume direct peace talks, Russia releases U.S. detaineeRussian President Vladimir Putin told White House envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday that he "agrees in principle" resuming trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. to end the war, the Kremlin said. Why it matters: The White House hopes Putin will show more willingness to compromise after President Trump agreed to lift sanctions on…

Axios14h agoWhole story →