{
  "id": 15880022,
  "title": "Trump hails Russia’s release of US teacher amid Witkoff’s visit – live",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/trump-hails-russias-release-of-us-teacher-amid-witkoffs-visit-live",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T11:38:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian US",
    "slug": "the-guardian-us",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/oct/21/donald-trump-south-carolina-data-centers-midterms-ukraine-witkoff-russia-latest-news-updates"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Donald Trump celebrated Russia's release of US teacher Stephen Hubbard, who was convicted of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. Trump claimed he directly requested the release from Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone last week. Hubbard, 74, will soon return home to his family, marking an unprecedented situation for Russia as they did not need to offer anything in return. The US president posted a message on Truth Social, welcoming Hubbard home and stating that he is \"great to have you back.\" This significant return should have occurred earlier, according to Trump, who criticized the Biden Administration for failing to secure Hubbard's release through negotiations. The release comes as Trump prepares for the mid-term elections, promising his supporters $5,000 cash for every American adult if Republicans win the House and Senate. However, some lawmakers have questioned the funding source, while Democrats call it a vote-buying scheme. Voters are already grappling with rising inflation and gas prices nearing $4 a gallon, with half of registered voters expressing doubt that Trump will keep his promises.",
  "summary": "US was not required to give anything in return for Stephen Hubbard’s release ‘out of respect for President Trump’, he claims Sign up for Breaking News US email As voters struggle with the rising cost of living and gas prices up 45% since the Iran War, Trump on the campaign trail this week has also repeated his $5,000 cash promise to every American adult if the Republicans win the House and…",
  "key_points": [
    "President Trump hailed Russia's release of US teacher Stephen Hubbard.",
    "Trump claimed he directly requested Hubbard's release from Putin over phone.",
    "Hubbard will return home to his family, marking unprecedented situation for Russia."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Financial Times",
        "title": "Russia releases US citizen as Trump’s envoy visits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/russia-releases-us-citizen-as-trumps-envoy-visits",
        "published": "2026-10-21T11:05:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Russia frees U.S. citizen held since 2022 after plea from Trump",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/russia-frees-u-s-citizen-held-since-2022-after-plea-from-trump",
        "published": "2026-10-21T11:58:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Russia frees American prisoner after over 4 years during a U.S. envoy visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/russia-frees-american-prisoner-after-over-4-years-during-a-u-s-envoy",
        "published": "2026-10-21T13:43:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}