Trump says US citizen Stephen Hubbard on way home after freed by Russia without a swap

On October 21, US President Donald Trump announced that American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who had been held captive by Russian forces in Ukraine, was being freed. Hubbard, a retired English teacher in his 70s, had been sentenced in a closed trial in October 2024 to nearly seven years in prison for "mercenary work" on behalf of Ukraine, though he denies the charge.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Russian news agencies. Putin reportedly mentioned that Hubbard was at Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg, and Witkoff expressed gratitude to Putin for the release.

Trump stated that Hubbard's release was secured without the need for a "swap" with Moscow, emphasizing that the United States did not have to provide anything in return. This situation, Trump noted, was unprecedented for Russia. In another post on his Truth Social platform, Trump linked Hubbard's release to the recent suspension of some American sanctions and tariffs on Moscow. He suggested that if these sanctions had remained in place, negotiations between the two countries would have been impossible.

Witkoff, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo the day before, briefed Putin on the meeting. These discussions were described as "productive." Trump had previously requested Putin's intervention to secure Hubbard's release. During a press conference, Trump mentioned his extensive talks with Putin and expressed his gratitude for Hubbard's release, calling Putin a "humanitarian." Trump's team thanked Russia for the humanitarian action, crediting Witkoff with conveying this sentiment to Putin.