Russia Releases American Jailed For Over Four Years After Trump Appeal

Russia has released American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who had been detained for more than four years, following a request by United States President Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump announced the release in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying he had personally raised Hubbard’s case with Putin during a telephone conversation the previous week.

“Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week,” Trump wrote.

He said Hubbard was returning home to reunite with his family and claimed the United States did not have to offer anything in exchange for his release.

“The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no ‘swap’ necessary for this release,” he added.

Trump also criticised the administration of former President Joe Biden, claiming it had failed to secure Hubbard’s release through negotiations with Moscow.

“This major return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration, which got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin,” he wrote.

Hubbard, 74, is a retired American teacher from Michigan who was detained in April 2022 in the Ukrainian city of Izyum, which was then under Russian control.

Russian authorities accused him of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. He was convicted in October 2024 and sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison.

Hubbard’s release follows diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow. Trump said he was on his way home and would soon be reunited with his family.