President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff called Russian President Vladimir Putin a humanitarian in St. Petersburg on Wednesday after securing the release of 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard, who had been imprisoned in Russia for more than four years following a closed trial.
Stephen Hubbard Freed After Four Years in Russia
Russia freed Stephen Hubbard on Wednesday during a visit by Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg, where the American diplomat also held talks with Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher from Michigan, had been imprisoned since 2024 following a closed trial where prosecutors accused him of signing a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
💬 President #Putin to Special Envoy @SEPeaceMissions:I thank you & @realDonaldTrump for the special attention to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.☝️ If we can help resolve this crisis in the Middle East, we will gladly do so. You know our proposals.https://t.co/MgLg7jrWzO pic.twitter.com/SbrLn8vYB8
President Donald Trump revealed on Truth Social that he had asked Putin to free Hubbard during a phone call last week, noting that unlike previous prisoner exchanges, the United States did not have to give up anyone in return.
Welcome home, Stephen, it’s great to have you back,
Trump said in his post. Putin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters that the Kremlin leader had pardoned Hubbard, who was taken directly to Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg for Witkoff to bring him home.
Lawmakers Condemn Steve Witkoff Praise for Vladimir Putin
During the meeting in St. Petersburg, Witkoff thanked Putin for releasing the retired teacher and offered praise that immediately drew sharp criticism from prominent American lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that Hubbard’s release was raised by the American side over a period of time and that Putin decided to free him out of humanitarian considerations. However, the envoy’s remarks brought immediate condemnation in Washington.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis posted on social media, WTF, Steve?
Look up the definition of ‘humanitarian,’ while Republican Senator Thom Tillis reacted with astonishment. I would describe Putin as a warmonger, a thug.
He’s certainly not a humanitarian,
Collins said.
White House Defends Envoy as Policy Changes on Moscow
Defending the envoy’s remarks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance argued that the primary focus should be the return of an American citizen. I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage,
Vance said at an event in Ohio.
President Trump similarly brushed off the criticism when asked by reporters, explaining that the label applied to that specific outcome of releasing a man facing a lifetime in prison, while emphasizing that he did not want to disrupt delicate negotiations to end the war.
The diplomatic exchange coincides with policy changes toward Moscow. Last week, Trump waived sanctions on Russia that had been established by a congressional bill named after the late South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
WTF, Steve? Look up the definition of “humanitarian.” What an embarrassing and outrageous thing to say. You should go back to Ukraine and ask the families of the children Putin has kidnapped and murdered whether they agree your friend Putin is a “humanitarian.” https://t.co/SMQiTy46cc pic.twitter.com/Nbu0wKPmby
That decision followed the announcement of a deal to import Russian diesel fuel, which has traded around $6.30 a gallon—up 4 cents from $6.26—as the administration attempts to address high fuel costs ahead of midterm elections.
Other Americans Remain Detained in Russia
We are grateful to the Trump Administration for reuniting Stephen Hubbard with his family, but at the same time, we know that there are five other families of Americans held in Russia who are going to have a hard time understanding why their loved one was not included in the deal,
said Eric Lebson, the group’s chief strategy officer.
US envoy Steve Witkoff praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as a ‘humanitarian’ while thanking him for the release of American Stephen Hubbard, who spent more than four years in Russian detention after being convicted of mercenary activity in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/I4JKi58cwK
More on Stephen Hubbard
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly announces release of Stephen Hubbard, American who was taken captive by Russian forces years ago in Ukraine on charges of fighting as mercenary there, during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff pic.twitter.com/f8xWYhnr5C
Witkoff and Dmitriev meet with released American Stephen HubbardBefore meeting with Steve Witkoff, Putin announced the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard, who was convicted in 2024 on mercenary charges for his participation in Ukraine’s territorial defense forces.Hubbard… https://t.co/lfCZoT2uHo pic.twitter.com/H4uWnf9HPJ
Q: Witkoff called Putin 'a humanitarian' for agreeing to release Stephen Hubbard. Do you agree with that?JD VANCE: I agree with Steve Witkoff saying something nice to a person who just released an American hostage. pic.twitter.com/BV7MnDxApp