The UK Government has distanced itself from remarks made by Donald Trump's lead negotiator on the Ukraine war, Steve Witkoff, who described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "humanitarian".
Witkoff, the US special envoy, made the comment during a meeting with the Russian leader this week. The remark comes as President Trump pushes for a settlement to end the Ukraine war and pressures Kyiv to agree to a deal.
Government response
Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander said the Government rejects Witkoff's characterisation of Putin. Asked by LBC whether the UK agreed with the envoy's description, Alexander said: "No, we don't.
"We see him as somebody who illegally invaded Ukraine at the start of this conflict, who has been responsible for conduct by his government that included attempted assassinations on UK soil.
"So we simply do not recognise the description of Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian.
"In contrast, we are crystal clear that we stand foursquare behind Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine in their battle for freedom."
Peace talks progress
Following Witkoff's meeting with Putin, Moscow agreed in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the US. Trump has suggested that Russia and Ukraine are "maybe now the closest we've been" to ending the war.
Despite the apparent willingness to negotiate, Russia has continued to launch missile strikes at Kyiv.
Andy Burnham spoke with Finland's President Alexander Stubb on Wednesday evening, following a meeting between Ukraine's President Zelensky and Witkoff in the Norwegian capital Oslo.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the Prime Minister and Stubb both "underlined how it was crucial to maintain the momentum on Ukraine to end Russia's unjustified attacks" in their phone call. "Any peace had to include security guarantees for Ukraine, as well as ensuring war did not return to the European continent, the leaders agreed," she added.
