ST. PETERSBURG (Azat TV) – Russia has released 74-year-old retired American teacher Stephen Hubbard, marking a significant diplomatic development as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. According to NBC News, Hubbard was detained in Ukraine in 2022 and had been held on charges of fighting as a mercenary—accusations he denied. He was the last American designated as wrongfully detained in Russia by the State Department.
The release coincided with high-level peace negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. During their meeting early Wednesday, Witkoff praised Putin for the decision, calling him a humanitarian. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the release on social media, noting that the United States was not required to make any concessions in return, which he described as an unprecedented situation for Moscow. The Kremlin characterized the move as a goodwill gesture.
Diplomatic Momentum and Oslo Talks
The St. Petersburg meeting, which Jared Kushner was expected to join virtually, followed crucial discussions in Oslo, Norway. American negotiators met there with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, including the heads of Norway and Finland. A U.S. official reported that Ukraine brought forward new proposals and that meaningful progress was achieved during the session.
Despite the diplomatic activity, tensions remain high regarding Washington’s broader approach to the conflict. President Trump has intensified pressure on Kyiv to negotiate a settlement, telling reporters that the United States has provided extensive support without receiving adequate return. Critics have accused the administration of tilting away from Ukraine’s defense, particularly after recent policy moves involving Russian sanctions and a diesel fuel deal.
Trilateral Prospects and Standoffs
During the St. Petersburg talks, Witkoff presented documents outlining potential approaches to ending the conflict and expressed hope for the resumption of trilateral discussions. Zelenskyy acknowledged that a trilateral leaders’ meeting was raised as an important concept in Oslo. However, significant obstacles remain; Putin has insisted that any meeting with the Ukrainian leader can only take place in Moscow after a final deal is reached—a condition Kyiv rejects.
Meanwhile, domestic and international reactions to the U.S. peace push are mixed. While Hubbard’s family expressed gratitude for the diplomatic opening that secured his freedom, deadly Russian strikes continued across Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and civilian areas ahead of winter.