Russia Releases US Teacher Stephen Hubbard in Goodwill Gesture

Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired US schoolteacher who had been in custody since April 2022. His release took place on Wednesday and was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in St Petersburg with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Hubbard's return follows discussions that Washington described as a step towards advancing the dialogue concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine. Steve Witkoff expressed gratitude for Hubbard's release, referring to Putin as a 'humanitarian' in remarks that provoked criticism from both Democratic and Republican legislators in the US, given the context of Russia's military actions in Ukraine.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, stated that the decision to release Hubbard was made at the request of former US President Donald Trump and took into account the individual’s poor health condition. Witkoff conveyed thanks on behalf of the American administration, stating, 'Because of you, he’s going home to his family.'

In an emotional moment captured on video, Hubbard expressed his appreciation to Witkoff for his efforts. He is reported to have appeared in good spirits as he prepared to board a flight back to the United States.

Joseph Coleman, Hubbard's son, communicated with his father briefly before his departure from Russia, noting, 'Today he seemed light in his step, a sense of happiness in his voice.'

The discussions in St Petersburg were described by Witkoff as constructive. He mentioned that he plans to continue conversations aimed at establishing a potential framework for ending the conflict, with future discussions involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine scheduled for mid-November.

Witkoff's remarks have sparked backlash in Washington, highlighting the differing views about the Kremlin's actions. Senator Thom Tillis referred to Witkoff's comments as 'embarrassing and outrageous'.

Hubbard’s lawyer in the US, Martin De Luca, expressed appreciation for the efforts made to secure Hubbard's freedom, calling it a 'dividend earned along the hard road to peace'. In a post on social media, Trump asserted that the United States did not have to make any concessions for Hubbard's release, framing it as an unprecedented development.

Hubbard had been serving a nearly seven-year sentence for alleged mercenary activities linked to the Ukrainian conflict. He was charged after being arrested in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izyum, where Russian authorities claimed he was involved with Ukrainian military forces. Hubbard's family has consistently disputed these accusations, maintaining that he was not engaged in combat.

As of Wednesday, Hubbard was the only American prisoner classified by the US government as 'wrongfully detained' in Russia. Previously, the Trump administration had facilitated the release of another American, Marc Fogel, who had been imprisoned for drug-related charges. The situation around American prisoners continues to be a sensitive issue amid fluctuating relations between the US and Russia.