Released Hubbard says he would not survive another year in Russian detention

The former teacher, whom Russia accused of serving as a mercenary on Ukraine’s side, believed he was being released only when he was given new clothes. Trump said he had asked them to “do him a favor” and release the American, stressing that there had been no “exchange.”

RuskiGazeta Editorial DeskOctober 31, 2026, 12:18 PMUpdated: November 01, 2026, 01:38 AM

Released Hubbard says he would not survive another year in Russian detention

U.S. President Donald Trump received 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard in the Oval Office on October 30 after his release following more than four years in detention in Russia, effectively tying his return to the decision not to impose sanctions on Moscow.

“Foolish people wanted me to impose sanctions on Russia,” Trump said, Izvestia reported. The U.S. president said the sides were in the process of negotiations and that, if he had imposed sanctions, Hubbard would not have returned.

Trump stressed that there had been no “exchange.” He did not impose the sanctions approved by Congress after Hubbard’s release.

“Do me a favor”

Трамп и Стивен Хаббард в Овальном кабинете

“It was a great honor to help. It was spontaneous. I said: Do me a favor, release Stephen Hubbard. And they agreed,” Trump said during the meeting.

Hubbard, a former teacher, said he had heard promises of release many times and believed it only when he was given new clothes and led to the exit of the prison. He said he would not have survived another year in detention.

Mercenary charges

Russia accused Hubbard of taking part in combat operations on Ukraine’s side as a mercenary; his defense denies the charges. The American’s release was announced during a meeting between U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

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