Russia releases imprisoned U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard following Trump's request

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen, during a meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. Hubbard, a former teacher and veteran of the U.S. Air Force and National Guard, had been imprisoned in Russia for more than four years. According to Interfax-Ukraine, he was sentenced in October 2024 for mercenary activity following allegations that he fought on Ukraine's side. The Kyiv Independent reports his release occurred on October 21.

The release followed a request from President Trump, who stated he personally pressed Putin for Hubbard's freedom. During the meeting in St. Petersburg, Witkoff expressed thanks on behalf of Trump and the American people. CBS News reports that Hubbard, who is in poor health, was expected to be flown to Texas for treatment at a military hospital. While Hubbard was the last American formally declared wrongfully detained by the State Department, CBS News notes that as many as 10 other Americans remain in Russian custody.

The meeting between Witkoff and Putin also addressed progress regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Witkoff told Interfax-Ukraine that talks with European and Ukrainian representatives in Oslo were productive and that a basis for a ceasefire may have been formed. Euronews reports that retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges criticized the Trump administration's actions regarding Ukraine, suggesting recent decisions to restrict Ukrainian defenses are intended to pressure Kyiv into surrendering territory.

Brief written by urgent.news from NPR, Euronews, Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv Independent, CBS News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.