Witkoff Calls Putin a Humanitarian During Russia Peace Talks

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian during talks in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, as Washington pursued efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine without Kyiv participating in the meeting. The discussions also coincided with Russia's announcement that it would release American Stephen Hubbard, whom the U.S. State Department had designated as wrongfully detained.

Witkoff's remarks came amid disagreements over Ukraine's role in negotiations and growing tensions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy has insisted that any agreement determining his country's future must include Ukraine directly in the negotiating process.

In a video posted to social media, Witkoff responded to Putin's description of Trump as a humanitarian by extending the same characterization to the Russian leader.

"You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again." Witkoff said during the meeting.

The meeting followed discussions in Oslo on Tuesday involving Zelenskyy, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Zelenskyy said those conversations with U.S. officials had been constructive and that Washington had reaffirmed its commitment to providing Ukraine with security guarantees.

Speaking about the conditions for an agreement, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine must participate in negotiations concerning its future.

"It can be acceptable only when we are at the table of negotiations," Zelenskyy said.

He also addressed a reported proposal for a trilateral meeting involving the United States, China and Russia to negotiate an end to the nearly five-year full-scale war.

"Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said the Oslo discussions covered NATO's Article 5, which establishes that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all members, as well as other possible security guarantees. He said Witkoff would communicate those proposals to Russian officials and that Ukraine expected to hear their response within a day.

Russia announced Hubbard's release as the St. Petersburg talks began. The U.S.

State Department had classified the retired American teacher's detention as wrongful. Russian authorities had accused Hubbard of serving as a Ukrainian mercenary, and Witkoff thanked Putin for the release.

The diplomatic efforts are unfolding against a backdrop of public criticism between Trump and Zelenskyy. Trump has accused the Ukrainian president of being unwilling to pursue peace, while Zelenskyy has argued that Washington's easing of sanctions on Russia, including a deal involving diesel, could prolong the conflict.

Military developments have added pressure to the negotiations. Russian forces struck energy infrastructure and civilian targets across Ukraine overnight, causing at least one reported casualty, according to local media reports.

The strikes followed Trump's October 11 claim that he had brokered an energy ceasefire under which Russia and Ukraine would refrain from attacking each other's energy infrastructure amid high diesel prices. Ukraine suspended such attacks for three days before resuming them, citing continued Russian strikes.

Zelenskyy also confirmed Tuesday that U.S. intelligence agencies had resumed sharing early warnings of potential Russian attacks. Discussions between Washington and Kyiv continued over Starlink connectivity and Patriot air defense systems.