Downing Street has firmly rejected the characterization of Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian" made by Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s chief negotiator on the Ukraine war. This statement follows Witkoff's meeting with the Russian president in St Petersburg on Wednesday, where he aimed to push for an end to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, amid increasing pressure from the US on Kyiv to agree to a settlement.
Key Remarks from Witkoff
In a video clip shared by Russian state media on X, Witkoff stated:
“"You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also sir, and I salute that. I commend you."
Downing Street's Response
When questioned about Witkoff’s comments, a spokesperson for Downing Street responded:
“"We certainly do not recognise that characterisation, and President Putin has killed thousands of people, both innocent Ukrainians and his own Russian people, who he has sent to their deaths on the frontline. He is starving children and the elderly of the heat and warmth, and systematically targeting critical national infrastructure."
