Steve Witkoff calls Putin a "humanitarian" after Russia frees Stephen Hubbard; senators from both parties object
Envoy Steve Witkoff called Vladimir Putin a humanitarian after Russia freed American Stephen Hubbard. Senators from both parties rejected the label, calling Putin a killer and a war criminal; President Trump said it could be used for the purpose of freeing Hubbard.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan who lived in Ukraine, was detained in April 2022 after Russian forces took control of the area where he lived. A Russian court sentenced him in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, which his lawyers and family denied, and the State Department designated him wrongfully detained. Trump said he had asked Putin to free Hubbard and that the United States gave up no one in return. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin freed him out of humanitarian considerations. Witkoff was in St. Petersburg for talks on ending Russia's war in Ukraine, a week after Trump waived sanctions on Russia that Congress had passed.
People in this case
Steve WitkoffDirectly involved
Vladimir PutinDirectly involved
Timeline
3 timeline entries on this page. Dates: October 21, 2026
October 2026
Russia frees Stephen Hubbard; Witkoff calls Putin a humanitarian
Incident
Russia releases Hubbard during Witkoff's visit to St. Petersburg. Thanking Putin, Witkoff tells him "You are a humanitarian also, sir".
[01]Associated Press
The Associated Press report on Russia's release of Stephen Hubbard during Steve Witkoff's visit to St. Petersburg. It quotes Witkoff praising Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian, Trump on the release, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and Hubbard's sister and lawyer.
Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years behind bars · Associated PressFull articleSenators from both parties criticize Witkoff's remark
Reaction
Republican Sens. John Cornyn, Thom Tillis and Joni Ernst and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin reject the description of Putin in posts on X.
[02]John Cornyn replies to Witkoff's "humanitarian" remark
Cornyn's post on X quoting a video clip of Witkoff telling Putin he is a humanitarian.
John Cornyn replies to Witkoff's "humanitarian" remarkText of post 2112876842537402446, quoting a clip of Witkoff posted by @Gerashchenko_en[03]Thom Tillis replies to Witkoff's "humanitarian" remark
Tillis's post on X quoting a video clip of Witkoff telling Putin he is a humanitarian.
Thom Tillis replies to Witkoff's "humanitarian" remarkText of post 2112890374163235086, quoting a clip of Witkoff posted by @Gerashchenko_en[04]Joni Ernst says Putin is "no humanitarian"
Ernst's post on X about Putin, published the day Witkoff called him a humanitarian.
Joni Ernst says Putin is "no humanitarian"Text of post 2112967029422501919[05]Dick Durbin on Hubbard's release and Witkoff's "humanitarian" remark
Durbin's post on X welcoming Hubbard's release and criticizing the description of Putin as a humanitarian.
Dick Durbin on Hubbard's release and Witkoff's "humanitarian" remarkText of post 2112923535811178509, quoting a clip of Witkoff posted by @Gerashchenko_enTrump is asked whether he would also call Putin a humanitarian
Reaction
At a White House roundtable on cyber crime, Trump says that for the purpose of freeing Hubbard "I guess you have to say" it, adding that he "wouldn't say anything one way or the other".
[06]CBS News
CBS News report on reaction to Witkoff's remark. It quotes Trump at a White House roundtable, posts by Sens. Thom Tillis, John Cornyn and Joni Ernst and Rep. Don Bacon, Sen. Susan Collins on the campaign trail, and former ambassador William Taylor in an interview with CBS News.
Witkoff faces backlash for calling Putin a "humanitarian": "Embarrassing and outrageous" · CBS NewsFull article (updated October 21, 2026, 5:13 p.m. EDT)
Response record
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Reporting
Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years behind bars
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
The Associated Press report on Russia's release of Stephen Hubbard during Steve Witkoff's visit to St. Petersburg. It quotes Witkoff praising Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian, Trump on the release, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and Hubbard's sister and lawyer.
- Author
- Dasha Litvinova and Eric Tucker
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Dick Durbin on Hubbard's release and Witkoff's "humanitarian" remark
About this source
Durbin's post on X welcoming Hubbard's release and criticizing the description of Putin as a humanitarian.
- Author
- Dick Durbin
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Joni Ernst says Putin is "no humanitarian"
About this source
Ernst's post on X about Putin, published the day Witkoff called him a humanitarian.
- Author
- Joni Ernst
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
John Cornyn replies to Witkoff's "humanitarian" remark
About this source
Cornyn's post on X quoting a video clip of Witkoff telling Putin he is a humanitarian.
- Author
- John Cornyn
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Thom Tillis replies to Witkoff's "humanitarian" remark
About this source
Tillis's post on X quoting a video clip of Witkoff telling Putin he is a humanitarian.
- Author
- Thom Tillis
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Witkoff faces backlash for calling Putin a "humanitarian": "Embarrassing and outrageous"
Relevant passage: Full article (updated October 21, 2026, 5:13 p.m. EDT)
About this source
CBS News report on reaction to Witkoff's remark. It quotes Trump at a White House roundtable, posts by Sens. Thom Tillis, John Cornyn and Joni Ernst and Rep. Don Bacon, Sen. Susan Collins on the campaign trail, and former ambassador William Taylor in an interview with CBS News.
- Author
- Kathryn Watson
- Published
- Accessed
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- Title
- Steve Witkoff calls Putin a "humanitarian" after Russia frees Stephen Hubbard; senators from both parties object
- First published
- Last updated
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The Dispute Index. "Steve Witkoff calls Putin a "humanitarian" after Russia frees Stephen Hubbard; senators from both parties object". First published: 2026-10-26. Last updated: 2026-10-26. https://disputeindex.com/cases/steve-witkoff-calls-putin-a-humanitarian-after-russia-frees-stephen-hubbard-senators-from-both-parties-object