Russia Frees Detained American as Trump Envoy Meets Putin
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American designated as wrongfully detained by Washington, has been released after more than four years in Russian custody as Trump envoy Steve Witkoff holds talks with Vladimir Putin.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.
Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American detained for more than four years over allegations he fought for Ukraine, during a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to President Vladimir Putin.
President Donald Trump said he had personally requested Hubbard's release during a telephone conversation with Putin last week, describing the decision as an agreement that required no direct exchange from Washington.
"Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family," Trump wrote on social media.
Witkoff confirmed the release during talks with Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, a day after Trump said he had raised Hubbard's detention with the Russian leader.
Putin told the envoy that Hubbard was at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo airport, where Witkoff had arrived earlier that day.
Witkoff Thanks Putin for Release
Witkoff expressed Washington's gratitude during the meeting, linking Hubbard's release directly to Putin's intervention.
"I want to thank you very much, the president sends his thanks … the whole nation sends their thanks because of Stephen Hubbard. Because of you, he’s going home to his family," Witkoff said.
Russian Mercenary Allegations
Hubbard had lived overseas for decades, working as an English teacher before relocating to Izyum in eastern Ukraine in 2014.
Russian troops occupied the city during the initial phase of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
According to Russian state media, prosecutors accused Hubbard of joining Ukrainian forces under a contract worth approximately $1,000 a month.
His sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, rejected the allegations, maintaining that the claim he had fought for Ukraine was false.
Release Comes Amid Ukraine Diplomacy
Hubbard's release coincides with diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, as tensions persist between Washington and Kyiv.
The Trump administration's relationship with Ukraine has come under pressure in recent weeks amid disputes over intelligence sharing, Starlink services and weapons deliveries.
Witkoff traveled to Russia after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway.
Choose Clash Report as a preferred source and see our reporting first in Top Stories.