Russia releases American Stephen Hubbard after Trump request

Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen who had been jailed since 2022, according to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who confirmed the release during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, CBS News reported.

President Trump stated on social media that he personally requested Hubbard's release from Putin, and that Russia freed Hubbard without requiring a prisoner swap, a situation described as unprecedented for Russia, according to CBS News and NBC News.

Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, was the last American formally declared wrongfully detained by the U.S. State Department in Russia. He was accused of fighting for Ukraine but denies the charges, NBC News reported.

Witkoff expressed gratitude to Putin for the release, calling him a humanitarian during the meeting. Hubbard was expected to be flown to Texas for medical treatment due to his poor health, according to CBS News.

The release is seen as a sign of warming relations between the U.S. and Russia amid ongoing tensions related to the Ukraine conflict, NBC News noted. U.S. officials, including Witkoff, were in St. Petersburg for talks focused on the Ukraine war and other matters.

While Hubbard was freed, up to 10 other Americans remain in Russian custody, including some with dual nationality, CBS News reported.