Stephen Hubbard, US schoolteacher captured by Russia in 2022, freed by Putin in goodwill gesture
Russia freed 74-year-old American teacher Stephen Hubbard after Trump’s request to Putin, as US-Russia talks continued on ending the Ukraine war.
On Wednesday, Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired US schoolteacher, after holding him in custody since 2022. The prisoner exchange came after discussions between Russia and the United States, with Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing the news during a meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Witkoff praised Putin as a humanitarian for the gesture, though the move drew criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle given Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The release occurred amid recent diplomatic efforts to end the war, including a proposed three-way meeting between the US, Russia, and Ukraine. Hubbard's son, Joseph Coleman, expressed his joy upon learning of his father's release, calling him light and happy in a voice message.
The US administration secured Hubbard's release last year for another American, Marc Fogel, who was serving a 14-year prison term for drug smuggling.
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