Whitkoff thanked Putin for the release of American Stephen Hubbard

US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff expressed gratitude to Vladimir Putin for the release of Stephen Hubbard, who was sentenced in Russia to six years and ten months in a penal colony for mercenarism. Earlier, Donald Trump said he had personally asked Putin to release Hubbard.

Javlon TursunovFirst published on tafs uz 1 min read
Whitkoff thanked Putin for the release of American Stephen Hubbard

The key facts

  • Steve Witkoff thanked Putin for the release of Stephen Hubbard
  • Hubbard was sentenced in October 2024 to 6 years and 10 months in a penal colony
  • Trump said he had personally asked Putin for the release

Gratitude for the release

US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff thanked Vladimir Putin for the release of American Stephen Hubbard, who was convicted in Russia for mercenarism.

The Hubbard case

Hubbard is a former English teacher who had lived in Izium, Ukraine, since 2014. According to investigators, in February 2022 he joined a local territorial defense unit and took part in hostilities for monetary compensation. In April of the same year he was detained, and in October 2024 the Moscow City Court sentenced him to six years and ten months in a penal colony.

Talks on the exchange

The day before, Donald Trump said he had personally asked Putin to release Hubbard. According to Life.ru, Russia and the United States have moved closer to an agreement on the release of several American prisoners. ABC News reported that the talks had reached a final stage, and that Hubbard was the key figure in the possible deal. His return was handled by Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Washington also hoped to secure the release of other US citizens, but their names and the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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

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