Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the release of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, who has been held in Moscow since 2022 over allegations that he fought in Ukraine.
The announcement was made during a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. Putin raised the possibility of meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in China and proposed discussions on restoring economic cooperation between Moscow and Washington.
Putin said Trump was placing considerable emphasis on efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, adding that Moscow welcomed the initiative and supported ongoing efforts to advance a settlement.
The Russian president also stated that Hubbard was at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg and could now leave Russia and return to the United States.
