Trump Says Putin Freed Hubbard Without Exchange
.gov US President Donald Trump addressed Vladimir Putin with a request to release the 73-year-old US citizen Stefan Hubbard, who is currently imprisoned in Russia.
Consensus
- Steven Hubbard, a U.S. citizen, was released from a Russian prison.
- Hubbard was sentenced in October 2024 by the Moscow City Court to six years and ten months in a general regime colony for participating in armed conflict as a mercenary.
- The release was announced during a meeting between Vladimir Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Saint Petersburg on October 21.
- Hubbard was detained in April 2022 in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, during the war in Ukraine.
- According to Russian authorities, Hubbard had joined Ukraine's territorial defense unit, received training, weapons, and payment for his service.
- Donald Trump stated he personally requested Putin to release Hubbard during a phone call.
- Trump claimed the release occurred without any exchange of prisoners or demands from the U.S.
- Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said the decision was made for humanitarian reasons.
- Hubbard was reported to be at Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg at the time of the announcement.
- Hubbard is a 72- or 73-year-old man from Michigan, formerly a teacher of English.
Points of divergence
- Trump claimed sanctions under the Graham Act could have prevented the negotiations for Hubbard's release. — rimao
- Trump said the release should have happened earlier under President Joe Biden and the Democrats. — interfax
- The release was announced during a meeting at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Saint Petersburg between Putin and Steve Witkoff. — fontanka
- The release was part of negotiations between Putin and Trump's special envoy. — tg_bazabazon
- The U.S. delegation aims to pave the way for direct tripartite talks on Ukraine during the visit. — m24
Coverage (16 sources)
- Trump stated that sanctions against Russia could derail the release of Hubbard — РИАМО
- US President thanked Putin for freeing Hubbard — Интерфакс
- Trump stated that the release of Hubbard by Russia should have been achieved by Biden as well — Интерфакс
- Trump: Moscow did not ask for anyone in exchange for Hubbard — РИАМО
- Trump stated that Russia asked for nothing in exchange for Hubbard's release — Интерфакс
- Trump noted Russia's selflessness in the issue of freeing American Hubbard — Вести
- Putin freed convicted American Hubbard without exchange. Peskov explained why — Фонтанка
- Russia freed US citizen Steven Hubbard, convicted of mercenary charges — The Insider
- Vladimir Putin freed US mercenary VU Hubbard in talks with Trump's special envoy. — Baza
- Donald Trump confirmed that Washington is negotiating with Moscow for the release of American teacher Steven Hubbard... — ASTRA
- Trump asked Putin to release convicted American Hubbard in Russia — Москва 24
- Donald Trump confirmed that Washington is negotiating with Moscow for the release of American teacher Steven Hubbard... — ASTRA
- Trump asked to release convicted American Hubbard in Russia — Ведомости
- Trump turned to Putin with a request — Вести
- Trump stated that he asked Putin to release American Hubbard from detention — Интерфакс
- Trump stated that he asked Putin to release the detained American Hubbard in Russia — Фонтанка
Key entities
More on Hubbard
- Putin Releases Hubbard, Denies Exchange for Rybar Creator
- Russia Offers to Resume Ukraine Talks in Nov
- Putin Meets U.S. Envoy, Thanks Trump Over Ukraine
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