Stephen James Hubbard, a retired American teacher, was released by Russia on Wednesday after nearly five years in detention in the midst of an apparent warming of ties between Washington and Moscow.The 74-year-old from Michigan had been living in eastern Ukraine for years when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
He was detained two months into the war as Russia captured swaths of Ukrainian territory.Two years later, he was convicted by a Russian court of serving as a mercenary.The news of his release came out of a meeting between President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, where they were due to discuss an end to the Ukraine war.
Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after 4-year detention01:16Witkoff thanked Putin for freeing Hubbard during their on-camera talks, and Putin said the American was at St.Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, suggesting his return to the U.S.
could be imminent.Witkoff later met with Hubbard at an undisclosed location.
In video from Russian state news agency Ria, Hubbard can be seen wearing a green jacket and smiling.“Thank you very much for all your efforts,” the freed American tells Witkoff as they shake hands.
Putin sent Hubbard “blessings,” Witkoff tells him, adding “from today, it’s a new life.”Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin released Hubbard “on humanitarian grounds,” though Russia did not provide more details.Hubbard’s family acknowledged both Trump’s and Putin’s roles in securing his release.“We have been gravely concerned for his safety and health since his 2022 detention,” Hubbard’s son, the Rev.
Joseph Coleman, who is an Orthodox priest, said in a statement on behalf of the family.“Never once did we waver as we prayed for success in these negotiations, and we must acknowledge that this humanitarian move by President Putin in this matter is deeply appreciated,” the statement said.
Martin De Luca, Hubbard’s ...