“[To Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, on camera, thanking him for Stephen Hubbard's release:] I wanted to thank you very much. The president sends his thanks. Our whole nation sends its thanks. … Because of you, he's going home to his family. … 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.
Back to stories
Witkoff Calls Putin a "Humanitarian"
Russia Frees 74-Year-Old Michigan Teacher Stephen Hubbard and Steve Witkoff Tells Putin "You Are a Humanitarian Also, Sir, and I Salute That" — Thom Tillis Writes "WTF, Steve?", John Cornyn Says "Putin Is a Stone Cold Killer," and JD Vance Says "I Agree With Steve Witkoff Saying Something Nice to a Person Who Just Released an American Hostage"
October 21, 2026
What happened▸
On Oct. 21, 2026, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan who had been held for more than four years. Russian forces detained him in Ukraine early in the 2022 invasion, and in 2024 he was sentenced to nearly seven years on mercenary charges he denied. He was the last American in Russia whom the State Department had formally designated as wrongfully detained. The Kremlin said Vladimir Putin pardoned him on "humanitarian considerations." The release came during a visit to St. Petersburg by special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Jared Kushner joining by video. The Kremlin said Putin had also agreed to resume talks with the U.S. and Ukraine.
Trump said he had asked Putin for Hubbard's release in a phone call the week before and that "there was no 'swap' necessary." He tied the release to his decision days earlier to waive the new sanctions in the Lindsey Graham Russia sanctions law, writing that imposing them would have brought the negotiations "to a complete and total halt."
Thanking Putin on camera, Witkoff told him "You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that." Republicans and Democrats rebuked him. Sen. Thom Tillis wrote "WTF, Steve?" and Sen. John Cornyn wrote "Putin is a stone cold killer." Sens. Susan Collins, Joni Ernst and Mark Kelly also rejected the description, and Sen. Mark Warner said he was "disgusted." Vice President JD Vance defended Witkoff as a diplomat doing his job. Trump said Witkoff's words served "that particular purpose" but that he "wouldn't say anything one way or the other." Virginia lawmakers noted that at least five other Americans remain in Russian custody, including Chuck Zimmerman of Salem, Va.
See what your representatives said?
12 Statements
“[On Truth Social, announcing the release and saying he had asked Putin for it in a phone call the week before:] The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return — an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no 'swap' necessary for this release.
“[At a White House roundtable on cybercrime, asked about Witkoff calling Putin a "humanitarian," which he called a "good saying" for "that particular purpose":] for the purpose of allowing a man who was thinking he was going to be in prison for life out. … I wouldn't say anything one way or the other.
“[To reporters in Ohio, defending Witkoff:] I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage. … I care much less about what Steve said than about the fact that he is bringing an American hostage home to his family. … Steve Witkoff is a diplomat. His job is to go over there and get a job done.
“[On the campaign trail in Maine, asked about Witkoff's remarks:] He's certainly not a humanitarian. … He is the aggressor in the war against Ukraine.
“[On X:] In what world is Putin a "humanitarian?" He's assassinated political rivals and journalists, bombed hospitals, and started a war that has intentionally killed tens of thousands of innocent people, including women and children. He's a war criminal.
“[On X:] Vladimir Putin is not our friend, and he is certainly no humanitarian.
“[At his weekly media availability, on Witkoff's praise of Putin and the administration's Russia policy:] I was disgusted. … This is a man who has butchered hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. … He's anything but that. … This administration plays footsie with Russia while still refusing to actually firmly require [the sanctions Congress passed]. … It's outrageous.
“[On X, responding to Witkoff's remarks:] WTF, Steve? Look up the definition of 'humanitarian.' … What an embarrassing and outrageous thing to say.
“[Statement after Hubbard's release:] There are five remaining U.S. nationals, including Virginian Chuck Zimmerman, [held in Russia]. … They should be reunited with their families as quickly as possible.
“[On X, responding to a video of Witkoff's remarks:] No. Putin is a stone cold killer.
“[Statement after Hubbard's release:] Thanks to President Trump, an American citizen is finally free from a Russian prison. … My office has been working tirelessly to ensure the release of Chuck Zimmerman [of Salem, Va., also held in Russia].