Putin Releases Hubbard, Denies Exchange for Rybar Creator
Press Secretary for the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, refuted reports that the release of American citizen Steven Hubbard in Russia was a swap for the release of Mikhail Zvinchuk, author of the channel
Consensus
- The release of American Steven Hubbard by Russian President Vladimir Putin was not connected to the situation involving Mikhail Zvinchuk, the creator of the Telegram channel 'Rybar'.
- Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin press secretary, denied that the release of Hubbard was an exchange for Zvinchuk.
- Hubbard was released on humanitarian grounds, according to Peskov.
- Mikhail Zvinchuk and his team were detained in Montenegro on October 9.
- Zvinchuk, his wife, and associates were later expelled from Montenegro and flew to Serbia.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the 'Rybar' team was released and awaiting departure from Montenegro on October 10.
- The Montenegrin authorities described the actions as a measure to protect national interests.
- The U.S. government, including former President Donald Trump, stated that Hubbard's release was not part of a prisoner exchange.
Points of divergence
- Former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that the release of Hubbard should have occurred under President Joe Biden's administration, as the Biden administration 'achieved nothing' in negotiations with the Kremlin. — vedomosti
- The Montenegrin government's actions against Zvinchuk were described as targeting 'hybrid activities' of the 'Rybar' network, with links to Russian propaganda and foreign information influence operations, according to media sources. — vedomosti
- The Montenegrin police announced that Zvinchuk and his associates had their residence permits revoked. — vedomosti
- Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Đukanović referred to the expulsion as a 'protection of interests'. — vedomosti
Coverage (3 sources)
- Peskov refutes link between Hubbard releases and author of 'Rybar' channel — Вести
- Peskov refutes link between Hubbard's return and 'Fisher's' release — Ведомости
- In Kremlin denied reports that release of Hubbard was exchange — Интерфакс
Key entities
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