World · 2026-10-21 · Afternoon briefing
Russia frees US citizen as Trump envoy meets Putin
Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American citizen sentenced to almost seven years in a penal colony for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine. His release on Wednesday coincided with a three-hour meeting in St Petersburg between President Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, a US envoy. Mr Hubbard, a former teacher captured near Izyum in 2022, was taken to the city's airport.
President Donald Trump stated the release followed a direct request he made to Mr Putin last week, insisting that "no 'swap' was necessary". Mr Witkoff's meeting with the Russian leader came just a day after he held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. The envoy presented proposals from the Oslo talks aimed at renewing trilateral peace negotiations.
The discussion in St Petersburg also covered a deal struck with Washington to import Russian diesel and potential Russian fertiliser sales to America. As the meeting proceeded, Mr Zelensky wrote that much depended on whether "the American side can hear something new from Russia today – about peace, and not about continuing the war".
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- Putin hosts Trump envoy for new Ukraine peace talks, frees US citizen held in Russia
- Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years in prison, during a visit by US envoy
- Russia releases US citizen as Trump’s envoy visits
- Russia frees retired US schoolteacher Stephen Hubbard as Putin meets Witkoff
- Who Is Stephen Hubbard? US Teacher Released by Russia as Trump's Envoy Meets Putin
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