# Why Russia released an American prisoner; how a viral attack is rattling Ohio’s race

https://mins.news/en/video/110225

- NBC News, 2026-10-21 21:49 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T20TRnZFx8

> U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” on Wednesday, following Russia’s release of a retired American teacher held since 2022. John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine and senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, assesses whether the release was a genuine gesture of goodwill and how warmer U.S.-Russia ties could affect the war in Ukraine. The program also examines increasingly personal attacks in Ohio’s governor’s race.

## Related coverage

- [Witkoff calls Putin a ‘humanitarian’ after jailed American’s release](https://mins.news/en/video/109939) — Guardian News, 2026-10-21
- [US envoy Witkoff calls Russia’s Putin a ‘humanitarian’](https://mins.news/en/item/109642) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-21
- [Russia releases jailed US teacher as Witkoff meets Putin](https://mins.news/en/video/109472) — DW News, 2026-10-21
- [Putin orders release of jailed American as he meets Trump envoy for Ukraine talks](https://mins.news/en/item/109401) — The Guardian, 2026-10-21
- [Witkoff thanks Putin after Stephen Hubbard’s release](https://mins.news/en/item/109367) — NBC News, 2026-10-21
- [Russia releases imprisoned American man, US envoy Witkoff says during St. Petersburg visit](https://mins.news/en/item/109205) — The Associated Press, 2026-10-21