Russia releases US citizens after more than four years in prison - Putin receives Witkoff
US special envoy Steve Witkoff speaks with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg about the Ukraine war and ceasefire.
Quick Look
- After more than four years in prison in Russia, US citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released.
- This came during talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St.
- Petersburg about the war in Ukraine.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Stephen Hubbard was sentenced to prison in October 2024. US President Trump had previously asked for his release.
After more than four years in prison in Russia, US citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released. Russian state media reported this on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously received US special envoy Steve Witkoff for talks in St. Petersburg.
US President Donald Trump had asked Putin to release the US citizen who had been imprisoned for years. The retired teacher was sentenced to almost seven years in prison in Moscow in October 2024 for alleged “mercenary work” for Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the Russian domestic secret service FSB reported the arrest of a German national who is said to have escaped from the Ukrainian armed forces. The FSB said he deserted as a foreign mercenary and sniper after not receiving the promised money, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.
A decision will be made about whether to initiate criminal proceedings for mercenary activity, it said. According to the report, the man is said to have served in the Bundeswehr from 1996 to 2010.
Putin discusses war in Ukraine with Witkoff
Meanwhile, the conversation between Putin and Witkoff is said to be about ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff said there was a basis for a ceasefire. He hopes that Putin will agree to a resumption of negotiations between the three parties - Russia, the USA and Ukraine - reported the Russian news agencies Interfax and Tass.
At the meeting, Putin thanked US President Donald Trump for his efforts to resolve the war. The Kremlin chief emphasized that Russia was interested in restoring economic relations with the USA.
Putin also asked about Witkoff's conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described this meeting as positive and announced that Witkoff would present the results to the Russian side. Witkoff traveled to the Russian metropolis on Wednesday.
The US negotiator also spoke to top European politicians in Norway on Tuesday. He now wants to submit proposals developed by the Europeans and Americans for a peace solution to the Russian war of aggression to Putin.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Steve Witkoff presents Putin with the proposals for a peace solution.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What specific conditions does the proposed ceasefire include?
- When could the official three-way negotiations begin?
