President Donald Trump announced another American’s freedom Wednesday morning, delivering a breakthrough after personally asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to release a retired teacher held for more than four years.
Stephen Hubbard, 74, is heading home — and Trump says the United States did not have to surrender a prisoner to secure his release.
“There was no ‘swap’ necessary for this release,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The announcement followed a direct appeal during Trump’s telephone conversation with Putin last week. On Wednesday, special envoy Steve Witkoff was in St. Petersburg, where the Russian leader confirmed Hubbard had been taken to the airport.
From Presidential Push To Homeward Bound
Trump had offered a glimpse of the negotiations Tuesday, telling reporters he had discussed Hubbard’s case extensively with Putin.
“I’d love to get him back. It’s time. It’s time to have Mr. Hubbard back,” Trump said in the Oval Office, according to ABC News.
By Wednesday morning, that push had produced a result.
Hubbard, a Michigan native, was detained in eastern Ukraine after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. A Russian court later sentenced him to six years and 10 months on accusations of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. His family disputed the allegation, and the United States designated him as wrongfully detained.
His release came as Witkoff pursued another major administration objective: negotiations over the war in Ukraine. The envoy traveled to Russia after discussions in Norway involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.
Another Homecoming During Trump’s Second Term
Hubbard’s return adds to a series of releases secured during Trump’s second administration.
American teacher Marc Fogel returned from Russia in February 2025 through an exchange involving Russian cryptocurrency figure Alexander Vinnik. Russian-American ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina followed that April in a separate exchange involving Arthur Petrov.
More recently, former Marine Robert Gilman was freed in August after serious concerns about his health. The State Department said his release involved no prisoner exchange or other concessions.
Those cases reflect the administration’s continuing focus on bringing Americans out of foreign detention. When Gilman was released, the State Department credited Trump and Witkoff and said it would continue pursuing Americans unjustly held in Russia.
The Next Americans To Bring Home
The work extends beyond Hubbard.
ABC News reported Tuesday that Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been leading negotiations aimed at freeing multiple Americans, although officials cautioned that the agreement’s scope could change. Americans identified in that reporting as still detained included Gordon Black, Michael Leake, David Barnes and Robert Woodland.
Wednesday’s announcement confirmed a breakthrough for Hubbard. Whether the broader discussions will deliver additional releases remains unresolved.
For now, Trump has another homecoming to announce — and another American family can prepare for a reunion years in the making.
