St. Petersburg:Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 73-year-old American who was imprisoned for participating in hostilities alongside Ukrainian forces, as announced by US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Witkoff made the announcement during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Witkoff also mentioned meeting Hubbard's son, a church pastor, who expressed gratitude to Putin for his father's release.

US President Donald Trump commented on the release, stating that no exchange or concession was required from the US for Hubbard's release. Trump highlighted on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the release was an unprecedented situation for Russia. He confirmed that Hubbard was freed after a direct request to Putin, and that the American is on his way home to reunite with his family.

Hubbard was sentenced by the Moscow City Court on October 7, 2024, to six years and 10 months in a penal colony, having pleaded guilty to engaging in hostilities alongside Ukrainian forces. His time in pretrial detention since April 2022 was credited toward his sentence.

Trump also addressed previous criticisms regarding his stance on Russian sanctions, explaining that discussions for Hubbard's release were ongoing, and imposing sanctions could have halted the negotiations.