Trump Seconds Envoy Calling Putin a Humanitarian After Prisoner Release
· World · The Independent, New York Times, NDTV
President Donald Trump seconded his peace envoy Steve Witkoff's description of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian. Witkoff made the remark during a meeting recorded on Russian state media, praising Putin for releasing detained US citizen Stephen Hubbard. Trump offered a qualified agreement when pressed on the description during a media interaction. Hubbard, a 74-year-old former schoolteacher, was freed after being imprisoned since April 2022 on charges of fighting for Ukraine. The release coincided with Trump waiving bipartisan sanctions meant to hinder Russia's war effort.
Why it matters
The diplomatic exchange highlights shifting US-Russia relations and raises questions about ongoing sanctions enforcement.
Read the original report — The Independent
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