Russia Releases 74-Year-Old US Citizen Stephen Hubbard Amid St. Petersburg Talks

Russia has released 74-year-old American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was jailed in 2024 for allegedly fighting on behalf of Ukraine, as Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Hubbard was on his way back home and that no prisoner swap was necessary following a request made directly to Putin.

During the meeting, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and President Putin also discussed the outcome of Oslo peace talks, regional energy issues, and economic cooperation.