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US special envoy Steve Witkoff sparked criticism from Republican lawmakers after calling Vladimir Putin, who is wanted by the ICC, a 'humanitarian' during talks in St. Petersburg on October 21. Senator Thom Tillis sharply rebuked Witkoff, and Senator John Curtis separately criticized Trump's broader Russia policy as emboldening Putin, while President Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the envoy's remarks, pointing to the release of American detainee Stephen Hubbard during the same visit.