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Witkoff calls Putin a "humanitarian" after Russia frees U.S. citizen; Vance defends him

After Russia released an American held since 2022, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called Vladimir Putin "a humanitarian," drawing criticism from Sen. John Cornyn and a defense from Vice President Vance.

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U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin "a humanitarian" after Russia freed a U.S. citizen it had held since 2022. CBS News reports the man was deemed wrongfully detained. CBS names him as Steve Hubbard.

CBS reports Russia freed the American after Witkoff met Putin to discuss the future of the Ukraine war. According to CBS, Witkoff told Putin directly that releasing the prisoner made him a humanitarian.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn rejected the label. "No. Putin is a stone cold killer," he said, per CBS. Former U.S. ambassador William Taylor told CBS the remark was "cringeworthy."

Vice President Vance defended Witkoff, according to PBS NewsHour. Vance described him as a diplomat and said he had gone to Russia to accomplish a task.

Reported by

  1. CBS NewsWitkoff calling Putin a humanitarian is "cringeworthy," former U.S. ambassador saysWed, Oct 21, 10:25 AM EDT
  2. CBS NewsWitkoff blasted for calling Putin a "humanitarian"Wed, Oct 21, 10:57 AM EDT
  3. CBS NewsKhrushchev's great-granddaughter on Steve Hubbard's release, Witkoff calling Putin a humanitarianWed, Oct 21, 11:57 AM EDT
  4. PBS NewsHourWATCH: Vance defends U.S. envoy Witkoff calling Putin a 'humanitarian' after prisoner releaseWed, Oct 21, 1:56 PM EDT
  5. CBS NewsFormer U.S. ambassador says Putin is a war criminal, calls Witkoff's comment "fatuous"Wed, Oct 21, 7:45 PM EDT
  6. The HillGOP senator: Putin is ‘anything but a humanitarian’Thu, Oct 22, 10:05 AM EDT
  7. The HillFox News host: Russians 'must be laughing their heads off' over Witkoff 'humanitarian' remarkThu, Oct 22, 1:01 PM EDT

This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.