Putin orders release of jailed American as he meets Trump envoy for Ukraine talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the unilateral release of 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard from a Russian prison. The move coincided with a meeting in St. Petersburg between Putin and Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, amid closer diplomatic relations and discussions on ending the war in Ukraine.
Why it matters
This diplomatic gesture highlights shifting geopolitical dynamics between Washington and Moscow, potentially strengthening Trump's political standing ahead of midterms while aligning U.S. and Russian positions on Ukraine.
Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting at the Constantine Palace in St Petersburg. Photograph: Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/State Media Handout/Reuters Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin shake hands during a meeting at the Constantine Palace in St Petersburg. Photograph: Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/State Media Handout/Reuters Russia Putin orders release of jailed American as he meets Trump envoy for Ukraine talks Russia unilaterally frees Stephen Hubbard after US request while Steve Witkoff praises Putin as a ‘humanitarian’
Prefer the Guardian on Google Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American from a Russian jail as he met Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid increasingly close relations between Moscow and Washington.
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US Envoy Meets Vladimir Putin in Russia as Stephen Hubbard Goes Free
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