Putin Says Freed American Stephen Hubbard Is at Pulkovo Airport

Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg, said that the freed US citizen Stephen Hubbard is at Pulkovo Airport. Witkoff thanked the Russian president for the release of the American, who was sentenced in October 2024 to 6 years and 10 months for participating in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Sevara AzamovaFirst published on tafs uz 1 min read
Putin Says Freed American Stephen Hubbard Is at Pulkovo Airport

The key facts

  • Putin told Witkoff that Hubbard is at Pulkovo Airport
  • Hubbard was detained in April 2022 and sentenced in October 2024 to 6 years and 10 months in a penal colony
  • On October 20, Trump publicly spoke about the request to free Hubbard

Putin Announces Hubbard's Whereabouts

Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen convicted in Russia, whose release was sought by American President Donald Trump, is at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting with the American leader's special envoy Steve Witkoff, taking place at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg. “He is at Pulkovo Airport,” Life.ru quotes Putin as saying. Witkoff, according to the outlet, thanked the head of the Russian state for Hubbard's release.

Circumstances of the Case

According to investigative data cited by the outlet, Hubbard was detained in April 2022. As the investigation established, he signed a contract with a Ukrainian territorial defense unit in Izium and participated in hostilities on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for monetary compensation. In October 2024, the court sentenced the 72-year-old American to 6 years and 10 months in a penal colony.

Trump's Statement

On October 20, Donald Trump publicly spoke about the request to free Stephen Hubbard. The US President emphasized that he had discussed this issue in detail with Vladimir Putin, but did not disclose the results of the conversation.

Fee of 72-year-old American mercenary of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on trial in Moscow revealed

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