Gershkovich Says Putin Wants His Terms as Witkoff Praises Him
WHO:
Bloomberg Markets - Evan Gershkovich is a Wall Street Journal foreign correspondent who discussed Vladimir Putin’s negotiating tactics.
Bloomberg Markets - US envoy Steve Witkoff praised Putin as a “humanitarian” after Stephen Hubbard’s release.
Bloomberg Markets - David Gura and Christina Ruffini hosted the Bloomberg This Weekend interview.
NY Post - Readers discussed Witkoff’s description of Putin as a “humanitarian.”
WHAT:
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich said his 2023 arrest on false espionage charges was likely intended to make him part of a prisoner exchange.
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich discussed his memoir, *This Cursed Beautiful Land*, and what Stephen Hubbard’s release says about Moscow’s use of detained Americans in its dealings with Washington.
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich said he questions whether the Trump administration fully understands Putin’s negotiating tactics.
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich argued Putin remains focused on securing his demands for Ukraine rather than compromising in negotiations.
NY Post - The article is a Letters to the Editor collection about Witkoff’s praise of Putin.
WHERE:
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich discussed spending 16 months in Russian prisons.
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich’s remarks were made in an interview on Bloomberg This Weekend.
Bloomberg Markets - The negotiations discussed concern Ukraine.
NY Post - The article appeared in the New York Post.
WHEN:
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich drew on his 16 months in Russian custody.
WHY:
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich’s assessment was based on years of covering Putin and his own 16 months in Russian custody.
HOW:
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich said his reporting experience and knowledge of Russia helped him understand the likely purpose of his arrest.
Bloomberg Markets - Gershkovich shared his views while speaking with David Gura and Christina Ruffini.
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 16:03 UTC)
Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich says Vladimir Putin remains focused on winning his demands in Ukraine, not compromising, and questions whether the Trump administration understands his negotiating tactics. Speaking with David Gura and Christina Ruffini on Bloomberg This Weekend, Gershkovich drew on years of covering Russia and 16 months in Russian custody. He said his 2023 arrest on false espionage charges was likely intended to make him part of a prisoner exchange. His reporting experience and knowledge of Russia, he said, helped him understand the likely purpose of his detention. Gershkovich also discussed his memoir, *This Cursed Beautiful Land*, and what the release of Stephen Hubbard suggests about Moscow’s use of detained Americans in its dealings with Washington. US envoy Steve Witkoff called Putin a “humanitarian” after Hubbard’s release, a description that prompted discussion among New York Post readers.
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(UPDATED October 24, 2026 14:06 UTC)
Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich says he questions whether the Trump administration fully understands Vladimir Putin’s negotiating tactics over Ukraine. Speaking with Bloomberg This Weekend hosts David Gura and Christina Ruffini, Gershkovich said Putin remains focused on securing his demands, rather than compromising in negotiations. His assessment draws on years covering the Russian leader, as well as 16 months in Russian custody. Separately, US envoy Steve Witkoff praised Putin as a “humanitarian” after Stephen Hubbard’s release. That description prompted a collection of reader letters in the New York Post, where readers discussed Witkoff’s characterization. Gershkovich’s remarks focused on how he believes Putin approaches negotiations, while the letters centered on the reaction to Witkoff’s praise.