Meeting Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on October 21, 2026, after Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American the U.S. had determined was wrongfully detained, special envoy Steve Witkoff said: “You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again.” The remark was in a Russian state media video clip, Politico and the New York Post reported.
Republicans objected. Sen. Thom Tillis wrote, “WTF, Steve?” and, “What an embarrassing and outrageous thing to say.” Sen. John Cornyn wrote, “No. Putin is a stone cold killer.” Rep. Don Bacon said, “Another embarrassment,” CBS News reported. The praise came as Russia continued strikes on Ukraine's power grid and as the administration waived the Graham Act sanctions (see Trump Waives the Russia Sanctions Law He Signed a Month Earlier, Two Days Before It Took Effect).