The president made the comment in an interview with ABC News two days after U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff praised Vladimir Putin as "a humanitarian." Hours later, Russia struck Kyiv with ballistic missiles and cluster munitions.
In two weeks, Washington sanctioned the court prosecuting Putin, waived its own sanctions on Russia, and called him a humanitarian.
Metro AG responded, saying it did not approve the donations. On Sept. 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree placing the Russian subsidiary of Metro AG under the Kremlin's control.
He also cited unnamed genetic studies to claim Russians and Ukrainians are one people, a day after hosting a US envoy.
The peace discussions will begin at the technical level with negotiation teams, Zelensky said. If those efforts prove productive, then meetings between Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. President Donald Trump will be held.
The first Russian diesel tanker under the new deal between Russia and the United States is now heading for New York with a 40,000-metric-ton cargo, enough to cover barely two hours of American demand.The deal began with a phone call, in which Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to
Russia has built 33 air-defense positions around its main Shahed drone production complex, placing it among the country’s most heavily protected sites. A separate report describes the exploitation of North Korean laborers, foreign women and Russian students working there.
European and international media criticize Donald Trump’s Ukraine mediation efforts, warning that his envoy Steve Witkoff’s praise of Vladimir Putin undermines diplomatic credibility. Commentators argue that Moscow is exploiting US eagerness for a peace deal to buy time, weaken Ukraine and divide Western allies. They stress that Ukraine will resist surrender, while doubts grow over Trump’s motives, security guarantees and prospects for lasting peace.
U.S. President Donald Trump may be considering further sanctions relief for Russia following his recent diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, several Ukrainian and U.S. officials familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.The potential move would fit an approach in which the Trump administration offers
Appearing on Piers Morgan’s show, Konstantin Malofeyev criticized Putin for not using nuclear weapons and proposed targeting Western arms depots in Ukraine. The media tycoon previously advocated a tactical nuclear attack followed by public executions.
Trump waived most new Russia sanctions from the Graham Act, drawing sharp Republican criticism over whether Vladimir Putin believes the threats.
Five European leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Finland’s Alexander Stubb, are being considered to represent Europe in potential talks with Vladimir Putin as European capitals seek a greater role in efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The release of Stephen Hubbard is now being used by Trump as a diplomatic trophy to justify the isolation and abandonment of Ukraine for an American realignment with Putin’s Russia.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen compares Russia’s bombardment of Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure to Hitler’s attacks on Britain, warning that Putin seeks to break civilian morale. She joins bipartisan criticism of US envoy Steve Witkoff for calling Putin a “humanitarian,” with Republican lawmakers responding, “WTF, Steve?”
Garry Kasparov warns that exchanging Russian political prisoners for sanctions relief would allow Moscow to build more missiles and drones, while sharply criticizing the prospect of striking deals with Putin.
Downing Street rejects US envoy Steve Witkoff’s description of Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian,” citing thousands killed in Russia’s war and systematic attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters before departing for a rally in North Platte, Nebraska on Thursday, Oct. 22, US Vice President JD Vance said that the dispute over Ukraine’s Starlink restrictions should not fall on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk himself, framing the issue as a matter of US policy on the war.
He called Europe’s reliance on the company ironic, while also noting that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to negotiate after senior US envoy Steve Witkoff’s talks this week with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia has sought to separate the war in Ukraine from potential business deals and diplomacy with the United States. Its efforts now appear to be working.
Zelensky said Trump has the leverage to bring Putin to negotiations but has not used it. He warned that surrendering Sloviansk and Kramatorsk could expose more Ukrainian territory to Russian advances and undermine security guarantees.
Before that, US officials had cut Kyiv off from US intelligence and lowered a speed cap on Starlink to pressure Ukraine.
No subscription, no ads, no tracking.
Just curated news from reliable RSS sources.
If you enjoy the service, I'd love a coffee. ☕
Russia has expanded air defenses around its Alabuga drone production hub in Tatarstan, where journalists identified 33 defensive positions. The concentration is comparable in number to defenses around Vladimir Putin’s Valdai residence, according to Radio Liberty. New satellite imagery shows additional towers and platforms around the complex as Russia continues expanding production of drones used against Ukraine.
Opinion: Trump is forcing Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to bite the bullet for now, in the desperate hope that something may force a U-turn in Washington's warmth towards Putin
Donald Trump offered a qualified response when asked whether he agreed with envoy Steve Witkoff’s description of Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian.” He suggested the term could apply to the release of American detainee Stephen Hubbard but declined to give a broader assessment. Republican lawmakers condemned Witkoff’s praise, while criticism of the administration’s wider Russia policy continued.
European leaders are weighing who should negotiate with Vladimir Putin as fears grow that the US could sideline Europe in a Ukraine peace deal. The Kremlin’s suggestion of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has sparked backlash, exposing divisions over who should represent Europe in potential talks.
Donald Trump’s envoy met Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo before heading to St Petersburg in diplomatic push
Witkoff confirmed direct US Treasury talks with Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev on economic cooperation alongside Ukraine peace negotiations. Putin outlined Russian diesel shipments to the US and offered fertilizer exports.