Russia Frees a 74-Year-Old American, and Trump Says No Swap Was Needed
Russia has released a 74-year-old American citizen who was jailed over allegations that he fought on behalf of Ukraine, the BBC reports, timing the move to a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg. Putin said during that meeting that Stephen Hubbard had been taken to Pulkovo Airport, according to Russian state media. Hubbard had been sentenced to almost seven years in a penal colony in 2024. President Donald Trump later said the former teacher was on his way back home, and that no swap had been necessary.
Trump said the release followed a request he made directly to Putin the week before.
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The no-swap framing is the part to watch, because it is doing work. Some earlier releases of detained Americans from Russia were obtained through prisoner swaps, so Trump going out of his way to say none was needed reads as a pointed contrast.
Russian state media reported that Witkoff thanked Putin for Hubbard's release and, on Trump's behalf, for the diesel deal struck with Washington earlier this month. A thank-you does not turn a release into a trade, but it does mean this one arrived inside a much broader negotiation rather than on its own.