From Dailymail · · 3m
Russia frees US prisoner Stephen Hubbard as Trump claims Putin asked nothing in return 'out of respect for me'
Trump says Putin asked nothing for US prisoner Stephen Hubbard's release 'out of respect for me'.
In brief
Trump says Putin asked nothing for US prisoner Stephen Hubbard's release 'out of respect for me'. Russia freed US prisoner Stephen Hubbard after four years, with Trump claiming Putin asked nothing in return 'out of respect for me'. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Russia frees US prisoner Stephen Hubbard
Russia released American prisoner Stephen Hubbard after more than four years behind bars.
Trump claims Putin asked nothing in return
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Vladimir Putin asked for nothing in return 'out of respect for me'.
Release at Trump's request
The release came 'at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week'.
Hubbard seized in Ukraine
Hubbard, 74, a retired Michigan teacher, was seized by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in April 2022.
False mercenary charges
He was jailed for nearly seven years on mercenary charges his family and US officials say were false.
Last wrongfully detained US prisoner
Hubbard was the last American the State Department deemed wrongfully detained in Russia.
Trump envoy met Putin
The release happened as Trump envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in St Petersburg.
Trump's diesel deal with Russia
Trump struck a deal earlier this month easing sanctions so Russia can sell diesel on world markets.
Trump blames Zelensky for high diesel prices
Trump told Ukraine to find 'a new leader who can make a deal,' blaming Volodymyr Zelensky's strikes on Russian refineries for high diesel prices.
Zelensky calls deal 'a gift' to Putin
Zelensky has hit back at Trump by branding the diesel deal 'a gift' to Putin that would help bankroll Russia's war.
Trump waives sanctions
Trump signed an executive order to waive tough new sanctions and tariffs on Moscow under a law he had signed only last month.
Republican backlash
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis called Trump's move 'beyond irresponsible,' sparking fury on both sides of the aisle.
Trump claims sanctions were needed
Trump claimed talks to free Hubbard would have come to a 'complete and total halt' had he not waived the sanctions.
Witkoff calls Putin 'humanitarian'
Witkoff hailed Putin as a 'humanitarian' during their recent talks in St Petersburg.
Diesel price impact
Gas now averages about $4.28 a gallon nationwide, up from $2.98 before the war, while diesel is hovering above $6.
Midterms at stake
The pain at the pump has left Republicans facing the real prospect of losing both the House and the Senate in the midterms less than two weeks away.
What it means
Russia freed US prisoner Stephen Hubbard after four years, with Trump claiming Putin asked nothing in return 'out of respect for me'.
