JD Vance backs Witkoff after he described Putin as 'humanist'
Photo: US Vice President JD Vance (Getty Images)
US Vice President JD Vance agrees with the controversial statement by Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. Specifically, the special envoy called Russian leader Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian," states Vance, according to The White House on Х and The Hill.
Vance agrees with Witkoff
When asked by a journalist if he agreed with Witkoff calling Putin a humanitarian, he answered in the affirmative.
"I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage," he said.
Witkoff called Putin a humanitarian
US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" during a meeting with him in St. Petersburg on October 21.
Negotiations regarding a peace agreement in the war between Russia and Ukraine began with the release of 74-year-old American teacher Steven Hubbard. He had been held in custody in Russia for over four years.
“You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian; You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that," Witkoff said to Putin.
The International Criminal Court is seeking the head of the Kremlin for war crimes committed against Ukraine.
Republicans outraged
Some Republicans in the US Congress have harshly criticized Witkoff for calling the Russian president a humanitarian, The Hill reports.
For instance, Republican Senator from North Carolina Thom Tillis stated that Witkoff should be ashamed of his words.
"You should go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin has kidnapped and murdered whether they agree your friend Putin is a ‘humanitarian,'" he wrote.
Senator John Cornyn (Republican from Texas) responded to Witkoff that Putin is no humanitarian, but a stone cold killer."
And Representative Don Bacon (Republican from Nebraska) called Witkoff's words "another embarrassment."
Putin ordered the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard from captivity at the request of US President Donald Trump.
Hubbard was abducted from his home in Izyum in the spring of 2022. A Moscow city court found him "guilty" of participating in hostilities on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a mercenary and sentenced him to six years and ten months in a penal colony.
Furthermore, on October 21, US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in St. Petersburg. He brought documents for Putin outlining the conditions for settling the war in Ukraine.
