Trump envoy calls Putin a humanitarian, sparking bipartisan outrage
During a meeting in Russia, Steve Witkoff praised Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian, prompting condemnation from across the U.S. political spectrum.
In a Moscow meeting, Steve Witkoff, the envoy appointed by President Donald Trump, referred to Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian, echoing praise for President Trump. The comment ignited swift backlash from a wide range of U.S. political voices, who pointed to Putin's alleged involvement in assassinations, the invasion of Ukraine, and extensive human rights abuses. Critics invoked the International Criminal Court indictment and United Nations conclusions that label Russian actions as crimes against humanity, including the forced deportation of over 35,000 Ukrainian children.
Republican lawmakers such as Senator John Cornyn, Representative Don Bacon, and Representative Max Miller joined the criticism, describing the praise as an embarrassment and morally indefensible.
Why it matters
The envoy's praise of Putin risks undermining U.S. credibility on human-rights issues and fuels domestic political tension.
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