From 'Butcher' to 'Humanitarian': Trump Envoy's Shocking Praise for Putin Amid Shifting US Policy

Washington has previously used a variety of harsh descriptors for Russian President Vladimir Putin since his 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with President Joe Biden labeling him a “butcher,” a “murderous dictator,” and a “pure thug.” However, a new adjective has emerged from the White House: “humanitarian.” This term was used by President Donald Trump’s peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, during a meeting with Mr. Putin in St. Petersburg’s Constantine Palace. The meeting followed the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen who had been detained since 2022.

“You talk so much about my President, President Trump, being a humanitarian,” Mr. Witkoff stated to Mr. Putin. “You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you and I thank you again.” This comment elicited surprise from US politicians across the political spectrum. Republican Senator John Cornyn reacted on X, sharing footage of the remarks, by stating, “No. Putin is a stone-cold killer.” Another Republican senator, Thom Tillis, described the statement as “embarrassing and outrageous.”

While Mr. Witkoff’s praise was unexpected, it follows a pattern of recent policy shifts. On October 9, Mr. Trump announced a deal to facilitate the entry of Russian diesel into US and global markets, an effort to mitigate energy costs before the November 3 midterm elections. Further, on October 16, he relaxed certain provisions of a Russia sanctions bill that he had signed less than a month prior. This represents a significant departure from established US-Russia policy and undermines the effectiveness of sanctions intended to penalize Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. It is estimated that these waivers could generate an additional $300 million to $700 million in revenue for Moscow, with a portion likely directed towards Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Mr. Trump has faced persistent accusations of having a favorable view of Russia since his emergence as a presidential candidate in 2016. Hillary Clinton famously referred to him as a “puppet” of Moscow, an accusation he vehemently denied. On Monday, he offered another instance of his perceived affinity for Russia, remarking,