‘A gift of mercy’: Russia releases 74-year-old US citizen charged with aiding Ukraine
A 74-year-old American citizen imprisoned in Russia for more than four years on charges of fighting alongside Ukrainian forces has been released.
Stephen Hubbard, a former teacher from Michigan, was freed Wednesday. He had been sentenced in 2024 to seven years in prison for allegedly aiding Ukrainian forces.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, a Trump administration official who has been trying to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, was involved in the effort to free Hubbard.
“Because of you, he’s going home to his family,” Witkoff said during a meeting, thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin. “You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir.”
President Donald Trump shared a statement on social media saying Hubbard was released after he made a personal request directly to Putin.
“Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family,” the statement read. “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. This major return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration, which got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin.”
The Rev. Joseph Coleman, an Orthodox priest and Hubbard’s son, thanked Trump and Putin for his father’s release, describing it as “a gift of mercy” rather than “a political victory.”
“My father’s release cannot resolve the disagreements between nations. But it changes the world for one family and reminds us that compassion can find a way even in troubled times,” Coleman wrote.
“I pray for every family separated by war or imprisonment, for all who suffer, and for those entrusted with difficult decisions. May the mercy shown to my father encourage further acts of humanity and reconciliation.”
Hubbard’s release comes as the Trump administration continues trying to broker an end to the war, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
Trump has recently made other overtures to Russia, including waiving sanctions imposed by a bill Congress overwhelmingly passed to support Ukraine.
Trump also announced a deal to import Russian diesel fuel to help curb high gas prices ahead of the November midterm elections.
