Trump: ‘Stupid people’ wanted me to sanction Russia

U.S. President Donald Trump received Stephen Hubbard, released from Russian custody, in the Oval Office and effectively linked his return to his decision not to impose sanctions on Russia.

U.S. President Donald Trump received 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard in the Oval Office on October 30. Hubbard had been released after more than four years in custody in Russia, and Trump effectively linked his return to his decision not to impose sanctions on Moscow.

“Stupid people wanted me to impose sanctions on Russia,” Trump said, Izvestia reported. The U.S. president said the sides had been negotiating and that Hubbard would not have returned if he had imposed sanctions.

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”

Trump and Stephen Hubbard in the Oval Office

“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 his release many times and believed it only when he was given new clothes and led to the exit of the penal colony. He said he would not have survived another year in custody.

Mercenary charges

Russia accused Hubbard of taking part in combat on Ukraine’s side as a mercenary, while 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.