Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Trump uses warmer language toward Putin to seek Ukraine peace talks
Trump is using warmer language toward Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring Russia to negotiations over its war with Ukraine.
The war is in its fifth year, and Trump returned to office promising to end it quickly.
His lead negotiator, Steve Witkoff, called Putin “a humanitarian” after Russia released retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who had been detained since 2022.
Trump’s team says friendliness may encourage Putin to negotiate, while Trump has also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and questioned who should negotiate for Ukraine.
Some experts doubt the approach will succeed without a clear White House agenda and stronger leverage over Russia.
Whether Russia enters serious talks remains uncertain, and no next step is specified.
President Donald Trump has used warmer language toward Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of an effort to bring Russia to negotiations over Ukraine, foreign policy experts say.
Trump’s lead negotiator, Steve Witkoff, called Putin “a humanitarian” in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, after Russia released retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard.
Trump has also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said someone else should negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf.
Former national security adviser Robert O’Brien said cordiality could help persuade Putin to negotiate.
Brookings Institution expert Michael Kimmage said progress would be difficult without a clear agenda and serious leverage over Russia.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are central to the effort. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump’s negotiator Steve Witkoff are also involved.
- What
- Trump is using warmer language toward Putin in an effort to bring him to negotiations over the war in Ukraine.
- When
- In recent weeks; the article was published on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The effort concerns negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war. Witkoff made his remark in St. Petersburg.
- Why
- Trump is seeking to persuade Putin to come to the negotiating table and end the war.
Trump’s negotiation strategy
Critics and skeptics
Effect of warmer language
Trump’s negotiation strategy
Robert O’Brien said cordiality could help get Putin to negotiate.
Critics and skeptics
Michael Kimmage doubted the approach would work without a clear agenda and serious leverage over Russia.
Characterization of Putin
Trump’s negotiation strategy
Steve Witkoff called Putin a humanitarian.
Critics and skeptics
Senator Susan Collins called him a warmonger and a thug, and said he was the aggressor in the war.
Trump hosted Putin for a summit in Alaska in an attempt to end the war.
Trump said Zelenskyy should have settled the war long ago and that someone else should negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf.
Witkoff called Putin a humanitarian in St. Petersburg after Russia released retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard.
- War duration
- In its fifth year
- Released American
- Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher detained by Russia since 2022
- Negotiator
- Steve Witkoff
- Summit location
- Alaska
What people are saying
President Trump is using cordiality to get Putin to negotiate
In the absence of a clear agenda coming from the White House and in the absence of very serious forms of leverage over Russia — which the Trump administration has shied away from — progress at the negotiating table is very difficult to imagine
He is the aggressor in the war against Ukraine
WTF, Steve? Look up the definition of ‘humanitarian,’
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WTF, Steve? Look up the definition of “humanitarian.” What an embarrassing and outrageous thing to say. You should go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin has kidnapped and murdered whether they agree your friend Putin is a “humanitarian.”