US Envoy Witkoff Calls Putin 'Humanitarian' During St. Petersburg Talks

OPA WIRE, Oct 21 (OPA) — Steve Witkoff, serving as a special envoy for President Donald Trump, met with Vladimir Putin at the Konstantinovsky Palace on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and bilateral economic issues. During the session, Witkoff praised the Russian leader’s character, stating, "You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir." The remarks triggered immediate backlash from political commentators and foreign policy analysts in the United States, who cited Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine.

Beyond the diplomatic rhetoric, Witkoff secured a commitment from Moscow to lift export controls on Russian diesel. Witkoff stated that President Trump is "deeply grateful" for the decision, noting that the move is intended to assist American farmers and truckers facing domestic fuel supply pressures. The envoy also confirmed the release of Stephen Hubbard, a Michigan native who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2022 after being convicted on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.

Prior to his arrival in Russia, Witkoff held discussions in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian officials. These meetings aimed to explore potential frameworks for a peace settlement. Witkoff presented Putin with a set of proposals for a peace deal, suggesting that technical teams should be established to facilitate further negotiations. Putin acknowledged the effort, noting that he and Trump had previously discussed the necessity of ending the conflict during a recent phone call.

Despite the diplomatic outreach, the Kremlin has maintained its stance on the war, with Putin reiterating that Russia intends to consolidate control over eastern Ukraine. While the U.S. administration frames these developments as progress toward stability, critics argue the warming ties with Moscow undermine the U.S.-Ukraine alliance. Witkoff has expressed hope that trilateral talks involving the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine can resume to address the next steps in the peace process.