From the Left · Watch · October 21, 2026
Oct 21 · Putin agrees to resume three-way Ukraine talks after Witkoff meeting
Scripps News: Putin agrees to resume Ukraine peace talks after meeting with Trump envoy
Grade F (28/100). Correspondent repeatedly gives own verdicts on talks
Lehrer score 28/100 (−24 own-voice claim/analysis: [0:40] anchor: 'with not so much progress so far, but we'll see.' ... [4:58] correspondent: 'Is something imminent happening with Ukraine and Russia? I don't think I think the answer is no' ... [5:05] 'Is this just another effort for Putin to drag this out even further?' (newsroom verdict on talks, one claim); −24 own-voice claim/analysis: [1:42] correspondent: 'I mean, look, all of this is a gesture of of goodwill.' (characterization in own voice); −24 own-voice claim/analysis: [4:27] correspondent on Fox and Friends: 'it's often times an audience of one uh around the world.' (own-voice opinion)). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → F. Framing: Emphasis: skeptical framing of Putin's offer (dated after the midterms [1:03]) and GOP criticism of Witkoff's 'humanitarian' remark [3:28]-[4:05]. Second half [5:19]-[7:35] pivots to the Musk/Starshield WSJ story, off the row's topic. Correspondent repeatedly supplies his own verdicts.
[0:40] anchor: 'with not so much progress so far, but we'll see.' ... [4:58] correspondent: 'Is something imminent happening with Ukraine and Russia? I don't think I think the answer is no' ... [5:05] 'Is this just another effort for Putin to drag this out even further?' (newsroom verdict on talks, one claim); [1:42] correspondent: 'I mean, look, all of this is a gesture of of goodwill.' (characterization in own voice); [4:27] correspondent on Fox and Friends: 'it's often times an audience of one uh around the world.' (own-voice opinion)
Splits: [0:05] 'The Kremlin says Putin agreed in principle to trilateral negotiations after November 10th.'
- Broken. Rule: own-voice claim/analysis ([0:40] anchor: 'with not so much progress so far, but we'll see.' ... [4:58] correspondent: 'Is something imminent happening with Ukraine and Russia? I don't think I think the answer is no' ... [5:05] 'Is this just another effort for Putin to drag this out even further?' (newsroom verdict on talks, one claim))
- Broken. Rule: own-voice claim/analysis ([1:42] correspondent: 'I mean, look, all of this is a gesture of of goodwill.' (characterization in own voice))
- Broken. Rule: own-voice claim/analysis ([4:27] correspondent on Fox and Friends: 'it's often times an audience of one uh around the world.' (own-voice opinion))
Same story: FRANCE 24, New York Post