PoliticsWednesday, October 21, 20262 min read

WATCH: Vance defends U.S. envoy Witkoff calling Putin a 'humanitarian' after prisoner release

By Associated Press · Via PBS NewsHour · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Vice President JD Vance defended Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff's comments calling Putin a "humanitarian" after a U. S. citizen was released from a Russian prison, despite criticism from some Republicans. Vance stated that he agreed with Witkoff's statement, emphasizing that the focus should be on the success of bringing the American hostage home rather than the comments made by Witkoff.

Key points

Vice President JD Vance defended Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff's statement calling Putin a…: Vice President JD Vance defended Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff's statement calling Putin a "humanitarian" after a U. S. citizen was released from a Russian prison.
Despite criticism from some Republicans, Vance agreed with Witkoff's statement.: Despite criticism from some Republicans, Vance agreed with Witkoff's statement.
The focus should be on the success of bringing the American hostage home rather than the…: The focus should be on the success of bringing the American hostage home rather than the comments made by Witkoff.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-vance-defends-u-s-envoy-witkoff-calling-putin-a-humanitarian-after-prisoner-release Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Vance defends U.S. envoy Witkoff calling Putin a 'humanitarian' after prisoner release Politics Oct 21, 2026 1:56 PM EDT Despite backlash from some of their fellow Republicans for Trump's envoy calling the Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian," Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that, "I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage." Watch the clip in the video player above. Witkoff made the comments as he thanked Putin for releasing an American who had been jailed for more than four years. READ MORE: Putin agrees to resume trilateral Russia-Ukraine-U.S. talks next month The vice president called Witkoff "a diplomat" and said he was in Russia to get a job done. Watch the vice president's full event in the video player below. "I care much less about what Steve said than about the fact that he is bringing an American hostage home to his family. We should all be celebrating that, not be complaining about what Steve Wikoff said in order to get it done." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press

Despite backlash from some of their fellow Republicans for Trump's envoy calling the Russian President Vladimir Putin a "humanitarian," Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that, "I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage." Watch the clip in the video player above. Witkoff made the comments as he thanked Putin for releasing an American who had been jailed for more than four years. READ MORE: Putin agrees to resume trilateral Russia-Ukraine-U.S. talks next month The vice president called Witkoff "a diplomat" and said he was in Russia to get a job done. Watch the vice president's full event in the video player below. "I care much less about what Steve said than about the fact that he is bringing an American hostage home to his family. We should all be celebrating that, not be complaining about what Steve Wikoff said in order to get it done." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now

Original source: www.pbs.org

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