Putin Frees American Prisoner During Meeting With Trump Envoy in St Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74‑year‑old former teacher who had spent more than four years in Russian detention on accusations of serving as a mercenary for Ukraine. The decision came as Putin met Steve Witkoff, a Trump‑appointed envoy, in St Petersburg for fresh negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

The release followed a request from the United States, which had previously asked Putin to free Hubbard. During the meeting, Witkoff praised Putin, describing him as a humanitarian, despite being wanted by the International Criminal Court as a war criminal.

The encounter highlights an increasingly close diplomatic interaction between Moscow and Washington, even as the broader conflict in Ukraine remains unresolved.

Why It Matters

The release underscores shifting US‑Russia dynamics and may influence diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine war.