World
Russia frees US citizen Stephen Hubbard, 74
BBC News·
Russia released 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard as President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg, the BBC reported. Putin said Hubbard had been taken to Pulkovo Airport. President Donald Trump said the former teacher was on his way home and that no prisoner swap was necessary. Hubbard was sentenced to almost seven years in 2024.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Trump said the release followed a request he made directly to Putin last week.
- CBS News reported Hubbard had been in poor health and was expected to fly to Texas for treatment.
- The US State Department had classified Hubbard as wrongfully detained.
What's Happening
- Hubbard was accused of serving in a defence unit in Izyum when captured after Russia's 2022 invasion.
- Witkoff thanked Putin for the release during the St Petersburg meeting.
- Trump wrote that Hubbard was on his way back home.
How this release was framed
- Trump wrote that some other American releases from Russia have involved prisoner swaps.
- He said Hubbard's release required no such swap.
- Hubbard is a retired teacher from Michigan, the BBC said.
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