Putin frees jailed American teacher Stephen Hubbard, 74, as Trump envoy Witkoff hails Russian leader as a 'humanitarian'
Stephen Hubbard, the Michigan teacher whom Vladimir Putin freed unilaterally — not in a prisoner swap — after being jailed in Russia for nearly seven years as a mercenary.
Putin announced Hubbard's release at the opening of talks with Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg, noting that Hubbard was already at Pulkovo Airport. Witkoff will fly him home. Hubbard's health is said to be poor, and he is expected to receive treatment at a Texas military hospital. The day before, President Donald Trump said he had pressed Putin 'at length' to secure his freedom.
Russia jailed the Michigan teacher for nearly seven years as a Ukrainian 'mercenary'.
The State Department says the charges were fabricated and named him 'wrongfully detained'.
His sister Patricia Hubbard Fox had said he held pro-Russian views.
