The British government has rejected the characterisation of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” made by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during their meeting in St Petersburg on 21 October.
This was stated by the British Prime Minister’s spokeswoman, Kate Simmons, in response to journalists’ questions. According to her, London “certainly does not recognise that characterisation.”
“Putin has killed thousands of people — both innocent Ukrainians and his own citizens, Russians, whom he has sent to their deaths on the front line. He is depriving children and elderly people of warmth and is systematically striking critical national infrastructure,” Simmons said. She also referred to comments by Ukraine’s foreign minister, who stated that the residents of Kyiv “heard what Russian humanitarianism really sounds like” after the latest strikes.
Witkoff’s remarks came during talks at the Constantine Palace in St Petersburg. The American special envoy, reacting to the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard (who had spent more than four years in Russian detention), told Putin: “You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that.”
A similar position was earlier expressed by Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander on LBC. He said the UK does not agree with such an assessment, since Putin illegally invaded Ukraine and his government is responsible, among other things, for attempted assassinations on British soil. London, he said, stands firmly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.
Witkoff’s statement has also drawn criticism in the United States itself, including from a number of Republican lawmakers.
