Trump hails Russia’s release of US teacher amid Witkoff’s visit – politics live
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 The US president has just posted on Hubbard’s release, saying: “Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back.” The statement posted on his Truth Social says the prisoner release was the result of a direct request Trump made to Putin in a telephone call…
Key points
- Russia released US teacher Stephen Hubbard, the first American known to be convicted of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
- Hubbard, who grew up in Michigan and lived in Izyum with his Ukrainian wife, was arrested in 2022 and sentenced to nearly seven years in 2024.
- Trump said he had spoken with Putin about Hubbard and that "It's time to have Mr Hubbard back."
Russia has released US teacher Stephen Hubbard, the first American known to be convicted of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. The release was announced by US envoy Steve Witkoff during a visit to Russia.
Hubbard, who is 74, grew up in Michigan and had been living in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum with his Ukrainian wife. He was arrested when Russian forces briefly took the city at the start of the war in 2022 and was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison by a Russian court in 2024.
Hubbard denies combat role
Hubbard has always denied taking part in any combat or military unit. According to the article, he said the Russians simply took him from his house.
It's time to have Mr Hubbard back
— Donald Trump
Trump's earlier comments
Trump had flagged Hubbard's release a day earlier, saying he had spoken with Putin about the 74-year-old. "It's time to have Mr Hubbard back," Trump said.
