Trump teases release of Stephen Hubbard, American man jailed in Russia

President Trump on Tuesday said he’s asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release jailed American Stephen Hubbard, teasing that a resolution could happen within a few days.

“Remember that question for a couple of days from now,” Trump said when asked about reports claiming the U.S. was closing in on a deal for Hubbard’s release.

“I’ve been talking to President Putin about Mr. Hubbard. I’ve been talking to him at length. I’ve asked him to release him,” the president continued.

Trump’s top envoy for peace negotiations, Steve Witkoff, is expected to travel to Moscow this week as part of efforts to move forward negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

ABC News on Tuesday reported that Witkoff, along with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, are leading the negotiations for Hubbard’s release alongside their talks to make a deal to end the war.

The State Department considers Hubbard, 74, “wrongfully detained.” He was reportedly arrested by Russian forces from his home in eastern Ukraine in 2022 during Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country.

The New York Times reported that Hubbard was accused by Russia of manning a checkpoint and fighting for Ukraine. He was convicted in October 2024 of being a mercenary and sentenced to almost seven years in a penal colony.

The U.S. determination that Hubbard is “wrongfully detained” signals that the administration believes the charges against him are unfounded.

Trump relishes his involvement in securing the release of Americans and others unjustly detained abroad. His administration counts more than 100 Americans he’s helped leave foreign jails.

In August, the administration celebrated Russia’s release of American Robert Gilman from a Russian jail, and brought up the administration’s efforts to secure Hubbard’s release.

“We are still seeking the immediate return of all other unjustly detained Americans, including wrongful detainee Stephen Hubbard. The President will not stop until all unjustly detained Americans are home,” the State Department said in a statement at the time.

The talks for Hubbard’s release come as Trump has extended concessions to Russia by offering to purchase diesel and waive sanctions required by federal law, explaining his moves as keeping Putin at the negotiating table.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Great progress is being made, that includes the current hostage negotiations!”

But Trump’s outreach to Putin has triggered escalating blowback from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European partners, Democrats and an increasing number of Republicans in Congress.

Still, Trump has rejected the criticism, and he is turning the blame on Zelensky as failing to come to a deal with Russia to end the war.

“Ukraine has to want to settle this war, Zelensky has to want to settle this war, and if he doesn’t, I think it’s going to be a very bad thing,” Trump said.