Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American from Michigan, at President Donald Trump’s request, NPR reported.
Putin made the announcement as talks began in St. Petersburg with White House envoy Steve Witkoff on U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine. He said Hubbard was already at the city’s Pulkovo Airport.
Russian forces detained Hubbard in eastern Ukraine in 2022. After a closed trial in 2024, a Moscow court sentenced him to nearly seven years in prison for allegedly fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. The U.S. had formally designated him as wrongfully detained.
Hubbard’s sister thanked Trump, calling the release “the hand of God,” ABC News reported. The release comes as Trump has eased some sanctions on Moscow while pressing for a deal on Ukraine.
Sources: NPR, ABC News. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
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