The United States is working to secure the release of Stephen Hubbard, a retired American teacher held by Russia for four years. President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that Washington is actively involved in this case.
Hubbard, 74 and from Michigan, was detained by Russian forces in 2022 while living in eastern Ukraine. He is classified by the State Department as wrongfully detained. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg for discussions on this matter.
In the Oval Office, Trump refrained from disclosing further details about Hubbard but confirmed ongoing discussions with Putin. Trump expressed his desire for Hubbard’s release, emphasizing, “It’s time to have Mr. Hubbard back.”
Hubbard was sentenced to six years and 10 months by a Russian court in 2024, accused of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. Russian media reported that he pleaded guilty, a claim questioned by his family, citing his pacifist beliefs.
Simultaneously, Trump is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate with Putin by conceding territory. This proposal meets resistance from Ukraine, which views it as conceding defeat.
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