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News Article Published Oct 21, 2026 at 06:46 AM EDT updated Oct 21, 2026 at 07:40 AM EDT President Donald Trump has said that Russia did not ask for anything in return for the release of an American prisoner on Wednesday, which was announced at a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin said on Wednesday that Russia had released Stephen Hubbard, 74, a retired teacher from Michigan, who had been jailed for six years and 10 months in 2024 for allegedly fighting for Ukraine.
Putin said that Hubbard had been taken to an airport in St Petersburg. Following the announcement of his release, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had made the request for Hubbard's release during a call with Putin last week. "The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return—an unprecedented situation for Russia.
There was no 'swap' necessary for this release," Trump said. It came as Witkoff said during his meeting on Wednesday that there was now "a foundation in place to move toward a ceasefire" in the Russia-Ukraine war following "constructive" discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway the previous day. Witkoff also thanked Putin for providing the U.S. with diesel following an agreement with Trump that has prompted criticism from Ukraine and its allies.
"I think that was a really important act on your part, sir. And I know the president is deeply grateful for it, as are our farmers and truckers who use diesel and have been adversely affected by this diesel crisis," Witkoff said. "It's an example of us all working together, and I want to say thank you to you for that." ...
This is a developing story. More to follow.
Source: Newsweek
