President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly closing in on an agreement to bring multiple Americans home from Russian detention, with two of his top negotiators leading the effort.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, have been spearheading negotiations that are in their final stages, ABC News reported, citing two U.S. officials and another source familiar with the matter.
The talks have centered on Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old retired teacher, along with several other Americans held on charges the administration considers dubious, according to the report.
Officials cautioned that no agreement has been finalized. The arrangement could still fall through, and the number of Americans involved could change.
Trump Signals Movement
Trump hinted at the negotiations Monday, telling reporters he was “trying to get a hostage that the country has been after for a long time.”
“Let’s see what happens,” the president said. “That’ll be soon.”
ABC News reported that Trump was presumably referring to Hubbard, although the president did not identify the person by name.
Hubbard is the only American detained in Russia officially designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department, according to ABC News. His sister has previously appealed for his release.
Moscow Trip Expected
Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow this week after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo, Norway, a U.S. official told ABC News.
Asked Tuesday about a possible prisoner exchange, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov acknowledged continuing discussions.
“Dialogue on all these issues is ongoing through intelligence service channels,” Ryabkov said.
He said Hubbard’s name was “certainly familiar,” but added that he had “nothing to report.”
The White House declined to comment to ABC News. What Moscow might receive in return remains unclear.
At least eight Americans are currently in Russian custody, according to the report.
