Downing Street rejects Witkoff’s description of Putin as a ‘humanitarian’

Witkoff met Putin on Wednesday as part of a new US push to end the Ukraine war, with Washington pressuring Kyiv to agree to a settlement. In a Russian state media video posted on X, Witkoff told Putin: '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.'

A Downing Street spokesperson firmly rejected this characterization, stating: '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.'

UK condemns Putin

The spokesperson emphasized Putin's actions: 'He is starving children and the elderly of the heat and warmth, and systematically targeting critical national infrastructure.' They referenced Ukraine's foreign minister who said: 'This night, the residents of Kyiv heard what Russian humanitarianism really sounds like.'

Peace talks continue amid attacks

Following Witkoff's meeting, Russia agreed in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the US. Trump claimed that Russia and Ukraine are 'maybe now the closest we've been' to ending the war. Despite this diplomatic progress, Russia continued missile attacks on Ukraine, including a drone strike on Kharkiv while Putin and Witkoff were speaking.

Last week, Andy Burnham welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Downing Street and backed the Ukrainian president amid Trump's attacks. Trump had suggested Zelenskyy should be replaced and declined to say whether Russia was responsible for the war.