Russia Releases Jailed American Citizen as Putin Meets Trump’s Envoy

Russia has released 74-year-old American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was jailed for allegedly fighting alongside Ukrainian forces, as President Vladimir Putin held talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.

Putin said Hubbard had been taken to Pulkovo Airport on Wednesday, while US President Donald Trump later announced that the former teacher was on his way home, adding that no prisoner swap was required.

Hubbard’s Detention and Release

Hubbard, from Michigan, was sentenced to nearly seven years in a Russian penal colony in 2024 after being accused of serving in a Ukrainian defence unit in Izyum. Russian forces reportedly captured him shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

The US State Department had classified him as wrongfully detained. Trump said the release followed a request he made directly to Putin the previous week. Reports from CBS News indicated that Hubbard had been in poor health and was expected to travel to Texas for medical treatment.

Talks Cover Energy and Ukraine

During the meeting, Witkoff praised Putin for releasing Hubbard. The discussions also covered economic cooperation, the situation surrounding Iran and ongoing efforts to reach a peace agreement over the war in Ukraine.

Russian state media reported that the leaders discussed a recent agreement involving Russian diesel exports. Putin said the first shipment under the arrangement was expected to leave Russia within two to three days.

The agreement has added to tensions between Washington and Kyiv, particularly amid disagreements over sanctions, energy policy and intelligence sharing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern about Russia's intentions and called for progress towards peace rather than continued fighting.

Diplomatic Relations Remain in Focus

Trump also defended his decision to suspend certain sanctions on Russia, arguing that imposing them could have halted negotiations over Hubbard's release.

As diplomatic contacts continue, the release marks a development in US-Russia engagement, although major disagreements over Ukraine and wider international security remain unresolved.

BBC News