As Co-Chair of the Hostage Task Force, I am deeply grateful that Stephen James Hubbard is returning home to his family after being unjustly held in Russia. We have been fighting for his release for years, and this is good news. Let me be clear: Vladimir Putin is no “humanitarian.” He invaded Ukraine, killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and innocent civilians, and takes American citizens hostage for sport. Just ask Paul Whelan. On the heels of going against Congress to give Putin major sanctions relief, the Trump Administration is now praising Putin for an obvious tactic meant to manipulate the President and further pull the U.S. away from aiding Ukraine. Cozying up to Putin and giving him everything he wants is an impending disaster the Ukrainian people—and the world—cannot afford.