“You are a humanitarian.” Wave of indignation after Witkoff's words about Putin

Steve Witkoff thanked Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in St. Petersburg for the release from prison of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American living in Izium, Ukraine, who was captured by Russia and sentenced for allegedly fighting on the side of the Ukrainian military.

You talk so much about Trump being a humanitarian, you are one too, sir. And I admire that. I express my appreciation to you, Witkoff said to Putin.

As Paweł Żuchowski, correspondent of RMF FM in the USA, reports, these words are already everywhere in the headlines of the American media. Republican Senator John Cornyn, among others, responded to them.

"No. Putin is a ruthless murderer," he wrote.

Washington Post commentator Max Boot described Witkoff's statement as disgusting and embarrassing.

Piers Morgan, one of the most recognizable journalists and publicists, suggested by posting an appropriate emoji that he "felt like vomiting."

Republican Party Senator Thom Tillis described the diplomat's words as compromising.

"WTF, Steve? Look up the definition of 'humanitarian,'" Tillis wrote in a post on Platform X, using a vulgar abbreviation to express surprise.

"What embarrassing and outrageous words. You should go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin kidnapped and murdered whether they agree that your friend Putin is a 'humanitarian,'" the politician added.

Tillis, who will soon leave the Senate, is one of a number of politicians criticizing the Trump administration's recent turn in favor of Russia, including the abandonment of the sanctions provided for in the Presidential Act. Lindsey Graham.

The American media draws attention to a particular contrast. Words about the "humanitarian Putin" are made at a time when Russia is still waging war against Ukraine, and the International Criminal Court is looking for the Russian leader in connection with allegations regarding the deportation of Ukrainian children, notes Paweł Żuchowski.

Journalists in the White House are waiting for the official reaction, although no one expects that the US administration will withdraw from the words of its special envoy - adds the RMF FM correspondent.