American freed after four years in Russian jail

Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen jailed in Russia for over four years on accusations of fighting for Ukraine, has been released from custody, President Trump confirmed Wednesday.

Release announced during Putin meeting

The release was announced during a meeting between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg focused on the Ukraine war.

Trump claims no swap was necessary

President Trump said Putin agreed to release Hubbard at his request with no swap necessary, saying the American would not have been released without the White House stopping new sanctions.

“no 'swap' necessary”

Hubbard arrives back in the United States

Hubbard touched down back in the U.S. Wednesday night, President Trump said while returning from a rally in South Carolina. He said Hubbard would visit the White House in the next day or so.

Witkoff praises Putin as humanitarian

Video showed Witkoff thanking Putin for freeing Hubbard, whom the U.S. government had declared wrongfully detained, and offering effusive praise including calling him a humanitarian.

“You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that”

Hubbard was last American formally wrongfully detained

Hubbard, a seventy four year old Michigan native, was the last American in Russia whom the State Department had formally declared wrongfully detained. As many as ten other Americans remain in Russian custody.

Trump ties release to halting sanctions

On Wednesday afternoon, Trump told reporters that halting new sanctions was necessary to negotiate Hubbard's release. He said imposing sanctions would have prevented the prisoner's return.

“If I would have done that, you would not have Mr. Hubbard coming back.”

Hubbard captured in Ukraine in 2022

A retired school teacher who served in the U.S.National Guard and Air Force, Hubbard was captured in Ukraine shortly after Russia launched its full scale invasion in February 2022.

Other Americans remain detained in Russia

Hubbard's release follows Robert Gilman, freed in August after health deteriorated, and earlier releases of Marc Fogel, Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. The State Department maintains a Level four Do Not Travel advisory for Russia.

Russia not designated for wrongful detention

Despite its history of imprisoning Americans on questionable charges, Russia has not been designated a state sponsor of wrongful detention, a measure applied to Iran and Afghanistan.