Russia has released retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard, 74, who had been detained since 2022 on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, according to Russian state media and US officials. The move came as US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, in a development seen as a sign of improving relations between Washington and Moscow.
Hubbard, a Michigan native, was sentenced in a closed Russian court in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison, according to the New York Post. He was designated by the US State Department as wrongfully detained. Russian authorities accused him of participating in combat operations in Ukraine, allegations Hubbard has consistently denied.
The timing of Hubbard’s release coincided with Witkoff’s high-profile visit to Russia, where he met President Putin at a palace in St. Petersburg. According to Russian state news agencies and US officials cited by Reuters and NBC News, Witkoff’s trip was part of a broader diplomatic effort to secure the release of detained Americans and to advance negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine.
President Donald Trump had publicly called for Hubbard’s release earlier in the week, telling reporters he had discussed the matter directly with President Putin. The release is being interpreted by observers as a goodwill gesture from Moscow, coming as Washington intensifies pressure on Kyiv to agree to a settlement that could bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Witkoff’s visit to St. Petersburg followed meetings in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, where discussions reportedly focused on possible frameworks for a peace agreement. US officials said the envoy’s efforts reflected President Trump’s commitment to bringing detained Americans home, and the release of Hubbard is expected to be touted as a diplomatic success by the White House.
There was no immediate confirmation from the US government regarding Hubbard’s current location, though Russian President Putin reportedly informed Witkoff that Hubbard was at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport following his release. Hubbard is the latest American to be freed from Russian detention since the start of the Ukraine conflict.
The development comes amid a shifting diplomatic landscape, with the US administration seeking to balance support for Ukraine with efforts to de-escalate the conflict. The release of Hubbard may add momentum to ongoing peace talks, though the outcome of negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and Western powers remains uncertain.
It is not yet clear whether Hubbard will return to the United States immediately or if further consular arrangements are required. US officials have not commented on the specifics of his release or any conditions attached. The situation is expected to develop further as peace talks continue and Washington assesses the implications of Moscow’s gesture.
The image accompanying this article is an AI-generated illustrative depiction inspired by the actual scene of the event.
