# Hubbard Freed by Russia Amid Trump‑Putin Meeting

- Topic: world
- Source: [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m24l9v3745o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- Published: 2026-10-21
- Original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m24l9v3745o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Language: en
- Image: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/a22e/live/83914ac0-8497-11ef-bf4c-1f355eb87d3c.jpg

## At a glance

- Hubbard freed by Russia during a meeting between U.S. envoy and President Putin
- Hubbard jailed in 2024 for alleged Ukrainian service after capture in 2022
- Trump said release followed his direct request and no prisoner swap was involved
- Hubbard, in poor health, is expected to travel to Texas for treatment

## Sources

- [BBC News](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m24l9v3745o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)

## The story

U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard, 74, was released by Russian authorities during a meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. Hubbard had been imprisoned in 2024 for allegedly fighting for Ukraine, after being captured by Russian forces near Izyum in 2022. Russian state media said he would be taken to Pulkovo Airport for departure to the United States. President Donald Trump announced the release on social media, stating it followed a direct request he made to Putin and that no prisoner swap was involved. Trump also defended his recent decision to suspend U.S. sanctions on Russia, claiming the move had kept negotiations for Hubbard’s release from stalling. The former Michigan teacher was in poor health and is expected to travel to Texas for medical treatment. The release came amid broader U.S.–Russia talks that also touched on a diesel import deal and peace‑process documents. The event underscores the complex diplomatic interplay between the two nations as the U.S. prepares for mid‑term elections.

> Summary by Daily Read Bytes. [Read the original source](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6m24l9v3745o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)