Witkoff to Putin: You are a humanitarian. I pay tribute and respect you.

During a meeting in St. Petersburg, Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff praised Vladimir Putin, calling him a humanitarian. This occurred amid discussions on ending the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022. Witkoff's visit aimed to facilitate peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. Reports indicate that Putin agreed to resume negotiations with Ukraine, potentially involving the U.S. However, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue, raising concerns about civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin over alleged war crimes, complicating the peace process.