US Envoy Meets Vladimir Putin in Russia as Stephen Hubbard Goes Free

US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, hours after Russia released a 74-year-old American prisoner.

The release of Stephen Hubbard, a Michigan native imprisoned since 2022, followed a direct request from President Donald Trump, according to officials.

The diplomatic meetings take place as Washington and Kyiv experience mounting friction over military support, satellite communications, and potential peace terms.

During their meeting at the Constantine Palace, Witkoff praised the Russian president and delivered a message of appreciation from the White House.

"You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian," said Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy.

"You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that," Witkoff added during the televised portion of the gathering.

Vice President JD Vance defended the envoy's remarks during a public appearance on Wednesday morning.

"I care much less about what Steve said and about the fact that he is bringing an American hostage home to his family," said JD Vance, the US vice president.

Prior to arriving in Russia, Witkoff held discussions in Oslo with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European representatives to address stalled negotiations.

Zelenskyy insisted that any permanent agreement concerning his country's future must include direct participation from Kyiv.

"It can be acceptable only when we are at the table of negotiations," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president.

President Trump recently suggested that Ukraine should designate a different negotiator and questioned the leadership in Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that preparations are underway for a potential trilateral meeting between the leaders of Russia, China, and the United States.

That hypothetical summit could take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen next month, though details remain unconfirmed.