Witkoff blasted for calling Putin a "humanitarian"

What happened: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff faced backlash Wednesday for calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" after Putin released 74-year-old American prisoner Hubbard, held in Russia for four years. Key numbers: Hubbard is 74 and was imprisoned for four years. Putin started the Ukraine war four and a half years ago. Why it matters: Republican senators including Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, Susan Collins and Joni Ernst criticized the remark, and former Ambassador William Taylor called it "cringeworthy." Trump declined to endorse the description. Coverage: 6 outlets in 24h

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff faced backlash Wednesday for calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" after Putin released 74-year-old American prisoner Hubbard, held in Russia for four years.

Republican senators including Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, Susan Collins and Joni Ernst criticized the remark, and former Ambassador William Taylor called it "cringeworthy." Trump declined to endorse the description.