Special envoy Steve Witkoff faced criticism from lawmakers after calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian" for releasing an American who has been held in Russia for years, The Hill reported. The outlet said President Trump had made a direct appeal to Putin for the release of Stephen Hubbard, a teacher who was accused of being a Ukrainian mercenary. The available summary of that report does not name the lawmakers or describe their specific objections.

PBS NewsHour reported, in a segment that carried Associated Press material, that Vice President Vance defended Witkoff. According to that report, Vance called Witkoff "a diplomat" and said he was in Russia to get a job done.

The Guardian, in an article by Andrew Roth filed from Kharkiv, described Witkoff's remarks as flattery of the Russian leader. According to The Guardian, Witkoff sat down with Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday. The article also noted that Trump has said Moscow has been fine on Ukraine, and it argued that the administration's account of the path to peace with Russia contains falsehoods.

The sources differ in emphasis. The Hill and PBS NewsHour focus on the political reaction, with lawmakers criticizing the remarks and the vice president defending the envoy. The Guardian focuses on the content of Witkoff's comments and the claims made around them. The reports, as summarized, do not include a response from Witkoff himself.

Sources: The Hill: Witkoff faces backlash after calling Putin a ‘humanitarian’; PBS NewsHour: WATCH: Vance defends U.S. envoy Witkoff calling Putin a 'humanitarian' after prisoner release; The Guardian: ‘You are a humanitarian also, sir’: the US feeds Putin with lies as Ukraine’s children take cover and die | Andrew Roth.