# U.S. lawmakers outraged after Witkoff calls Putin a ‘humanitarian’; Trump and Vance defend envoy

https://mins.news/en/item/111719

- Meduza, 2026-10-22 19:58 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/10/22/wtf-steve-u-s-lawmakers-outraged-after-witkoff-calls-putin-a-humanitarian-leaving-trump-and-vance-to-defend-their-envoy

> U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on October 21 to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. After Putin announced that Russia had freed U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard, Witkoff called him a “humanitarian,” prompting criticism from lawmakers in both parties. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the envoy.

## Related coverage

- [CNN panel erupts over Witkoff calling Putin a ‘humanitarian’](https://mins.news/en/video/111405) — CNN, 2026-10-22
- [Witkoff optimistic after talks with Putin and Zelensky, Vance says](https://mins.news/en/item/111230) — TASS, 2026-10-22
- [US envoy Witkoff calls Russia’s Putin a ‘humanitarian’](https://mins.news/en/item/109642) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-21