Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said on Nov. 7 that he would introduce legislation supporting Ukraine, called on Washington to assign new negotiators to peace talks, and urged Congress to impose public interest controls on Starlink and its military counterpart, Starshield.
The U.S. has sent special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to trilateral peace talks with Ukraine and Russia, as well as to bilateral meetings, many of which took place in Moscow between the Trump administration and the Kremlin. In Witkoff's latest meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 21, the envoy praised Putin for the release of U.S. political prisoner Stephen Hubbard.
"Trump needs new negotiators — not fawning pawns who call this brutal murderer a 'humanitarian.' Congress must lead without delay," Blumenthal said in a post to X. In the Oct. 21 meeting, Witkoff told Putin: "You speak so much about how my president, President Trump, is a humanitarian. You, too, are a humanitarian, sir, and I commend you for that. I offer you my respect and thank you once again." Hubbard was imprisoned by Russia for over four years before he was released.
Blumenthal also urged additional measures supporting Ukraine and punishing Russia to bring Putin to the negotiating table. "A strong pro-Ukraine post-election wind at our back, we must push right away to impose sanctions waived by Trump , stop his despicable diesel deal, provide military aid, particularly air defense — and other measures to show support necessary to bring Putin to serious peace talks," he said.
Blumenthal's call for oversight comes after Starshield had been operating at limited capacity in October, hindering Ukraine's ability to defend itself from deadly Russian jet-powered drones.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The legislation would push Congress to act on sanctions, military aid and air defenses for Ukraine, directly challenging waivers issued by the Trump administration.
- Blumenthal's demand for new negotiators signals growing congressional unease with the conduct of peace talks, including envoys' praise of Putin.
- Imposing public interest controls on Starlink and Starshield could affect how Ukraine uses these systems in combat.
Background
The U.S. has been engaged in trilateral peace negotiations with Ukraine and Russia, with Witkoff and Kushner serving as special envoys. Many meetings have taken place in Moscow between the Trump administration and the Kremlin. During an Oct. 21 meeting, Witkoff praised Putin for releasing Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. prisoner held for over four years. Blumenthal, a Democrat, is urging Congress to take a more aggressive stance toward Russia.
Key Perspectives
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Democrat): says Trump needs new negotiators, not "fawning pawns," and Congress must immediately impose sanctions waived by Trump, stop the diesel deal, and provide military aid such as air defense.
- Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy: praised Putin as "a humanitarian" during an Oct. 21 meeting after the release of Stephen Hubbard.
What to Watch
- Whether Blumenthal's legislation gains traction in Congress and draws support from other lawmakers.
- Whether the Trump administration responds to calls for new peace negotiators.
- Whether Starshield's limited capacity continues to hinder Ukraine's defenses and whether Congress acts on oversight.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedBlumenthal said he would introduce legislation supporting Ukraine.Kyiv Independent: “Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said on Nov. 7 that he would introduce legislation supporting Ukraine”
- SupportedBlumenthal called for new US negotiators.Kyiv Independent: “called on Washington to assign new negotiators to peace talks”
- SupportedBlumenthal urged public-interest controls on Starlink and Starshield.Kyiv Independent: “urged Congress to impose public interest controls on Starlink and Starshield”
- SupportedBlumenthal called for a post-election push on sanctions and air defense.Kyiv Independent: “A strong pro-Ukraine post-election wind at our back, we must push right away to impose sanctions waived by Trump , stop his despicable diesel deal, provide military aid, particularly air defense”
- SupportedThe post-election push was called for after Witkoff praised Putin.Kyiv Independent: “In Witkoff's latest meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Oct. 21, the U.S. envoy praised the Russian leader for the release of U.S. political prisoner Stephen Hubbard.”
- SupportedBlumenthal made the stated announcement and calls on Nov. 7.Kyiv Independent: “Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said on Nov. 7 that he would introduce legislation supporting Ukraine, called on Washington to assign new negotiators to peace talks, and urged Congress to impose public interest controls on Starlink and Starshield.”
- SupportedThe US sent envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to trilateral Ukraine-Russia peace talks and bilateral meetings, many in Moscow between the Trump administration and the Kremlin.Kyiv Independent: “The U.S. has sent special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to trilateral peace talks with Ukraine and Russia, as well as to bilateral meetings, many of which took place in Moscow between the Trump administration and the Kremlin.”
- SupportedBlumenthal said, “Trump needs new negotiators — not fawning pawns who call this brutal murderer a 'humanitarian.' Congress must lead without delay,” in a post to X.Kyiv Independent: ““Trump needs new negotiators — not fawning pawns who call this brutal murderer a 'humanitarian.' Congress must lead without delay,” he said in a post to X.”
- SupportedAt his Oct. 21 meeting with Putin, Witkoff praised Putin for the release of Stephen Hubbard.Kyiv Independent: “In Witkoff's latest meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Oct. 21, the U.S. envoy praised the Russian leader for the release of U.S. political prisoner Stephen Hubbard.”
- SupportedWitkoff told Putin, “You speak so much about how my president, President Trump, is a humanitarian. You, too, are a humanitarian, sir, and I commend you for that. I offer you my respect and thank you once again.”Kyiv Independent: “"You speak so much about how my president, President Trump, is a humanitarian," Witkoff said. "You, too, are a humanitarian, sir, and I commend you for that. I offer you my respect and thank you once again."”
- SupportedHubbard was imprisoned by Russia for over four years before he was released.Kyiv Independent: “Hubbard was imprisoned by Russia for over four years before he was released.”
- SupportedStarshield had been operating at limited capacity in October, hindering Ukraine's ability to defend itself from deadly Russian jet-powered drones.Kyiv Independent: “Starshield had been operating at limited capacity in October, hindering Ukraine's ability to defend itself from deadly Russian jet-powered drones.”