Witkoff faces backlash for calling Putin a "humanitarian": "Embarrassing and outrageous"

TL;DR

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian" after the release of American Stephen Hubbard.
Several Republican senators, including Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, Don Bacon, and Susan Collins, strongly criticized Witkoff's comment, calling Putin a "killer" and a "warmonger."
President Trump responded cautiously when asked about Witkoff's praise, suggesting he would not comment "one way or the other."
The incident occurs amid heightened Russian strikes in Ukraine and previous U.S. decisions to waive new sanctions on Russia.
Former Ambassador William Taylor stated that while Hubbard's release is good, Russia should not receive credit and calling Putin a humanitarian is "cringeworthy."

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