US envoys meet Putin: Russia frees American teacher, peace talks to resume
Theo Al Jazeera English
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, securing the release of retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard and an agreement to resume US-mediated Ukraine peace talks, possibly in Abu Dhabi next month. Witkoff's description of Putin as a "humanitarian" drew bipartisan criticism in Washington.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have wrapped up their latest round of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a meeting that saw Russia release a retired American teacher and both sides agree to restart US-mediated peace negotiations on Ukraine. The talks come as Kyiv grows increasingly anxious that Washington is pulling back its support for Ukraine.
According to US officials, Witkoff met Putin on Wednesday at Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg, while Kushner took part online. It was the envoys' second meeting with the Russian leader since a trip to Moscow in September. The two men have played central roles in the negotiating efforts under President Donald Trump.
The latest round unfolded as the Trump administration steps up efforts to secure a peace deal ending Russia's nearly five-year war in Ukraine — a conflict that began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale military campaign against the Eastern European country.
In Kyiv, however, concern is mounting that the Trump administration is retreating from its commitment to back Ukraine. Trump is seen as keeping friendly ties with Putin, and critics worry he could concede to Russian demands in order to seal a deal to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.
Putin agrees to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the US
At Wednesday's meeting, the Russian president agreed to restart US-mediated peace talks with Ukraine for the first time in months. A US official told Al Jazeera that Witkoff and Kushner proposed a "technical-level trilateral meeting" focused on guaranteeing security for Ukraine and Russia once the war ends. Ukraine accepted the proposal during a meeting with US officials in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday.
According to Reuters, the Kremlin said the new talks with Ukraine and the US could be held in Abu Dhabi and get under way as soon as next month. The most recent US-mediated peace round took place in February, just days before the US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran.
Russia frees retired American teacher
Wednesday's meeting opened with a goodwill gesture from Russia: the release of Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher held in Russia for more than four years. Hubbard, 74, was detained in 2022 and sentenced to more than six years in prison on accusations of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. US officials insist he was wrongfully detained.
Trump, who had personally urged Putin to release Hubbard, wrote on social media on Wednesday that Russia had not asked for a prisoner exchange "out of respect" for him. A US official said Trump had spoken with Hubbard by phone and restated his "unwavering commitment" to bringing home every American wrongfully detained abroad. Hubbard is on his way back to the US to be reunited with his family.
Witkoff calls Putin 'humanitarian,' drawing mixed reactions
During the meeting, Witkoff drew attention by calling Putin "humanitarian" for his decision to release Hubbard. "You speak a lot about my President Trump as a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian as well, sir, and I salute that," Witkoff told Putin.
The remark drew pushback from both parties in the US as well as human rights activists, who pointed to serious allegations of human rights abuses under Russia's leadership. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from Trump's own party, wrote on social media: "What a shameful and outrageous thing to say... You should go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin kidnapped and murdered whether they agree that your friend is a 'humanitarian.'"
Republican Senator John Cornyn also weighed in, calling Putin a "cold-blooded killer." Democratic Senator Mark Kelly, a member of the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services committees, called Putin a "war criminal," citing allegations that the Russian leader has ordered the assassination of political rivals and journalists, bombed hospitals and launched a war that has killed tens of thousands of civilians.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, defended Witkoff. Vice President JD Vance said the envoy "has a job to do" and that praising Putin most likely helped the negotiations. At an event at the White House, Trump described Witkoff's phrasing as "a nice thing to say" for the "specific purpose" of freeing Hubbard, but said he would not comment one way or the other himself.
Possible Trump–Putin–Xi summit discussed
The Kremlin said the possibility of a meeting between Trump, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping was raised during Wednesday's talks. Russian officials said that if confirmed, the meeting could take place next month on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Given that all three heads of state could attend the summit in China, the subject of such a meeting was indeed raised. No concrete proposals or agreements were discussed or put forward, whether regarding the meeting itself or its possible agenda and content." The three leaders have never met in a separate trilateral gathering.
