World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Trump envoys plan to discuss Stephen Hubbard’s release with Putin
US President Donald Trump’s envoys plan to meet Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, October 21.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to discuss the release of Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen held in Russia.
Hubbard moved to Izyum, eastern Ukraine, in 2014 and was in Russian custody after Russian forces captured the city in 2022.
A Moscow court convicted him of being a mercenary in 2024 and sentenced him to six years and 10 months in prison; Hubbard’s lawyer says he denied the charges.
The US designated Hubbard wrongfully detained, allowing the government to pursue negotiations, but Russia has refused US officials consular access.
The envoys’ meeting is the next reported step in US efforts to secure his release; no outcome has been announced.
US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to discuss the possible release of Stephen Hubbard with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.
A New York Times report says Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to meet Putin in St. Petersburg on October 21.
The report does not name the American, but says Hubbard is the only American the US State Department categorizes as wrongfully detained in Russia.
Hubbard was convicted of being a mercenary in October 2024 and sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison.
Hubbard’s lawyer has said the charges were false and that Hubbard was not in a combat or military unit.
- Who
- US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to discuss the case with Vladimir Putin. Jared Kushner is also expected to join the meeting, according to the New York Times report.
- What
- The envoys plan to discuss securing Stephen Hubbard’s release from Russian detention.
- When
- The meeting is planned for October 21, 2026. The Straits Times report says the discussion is expected this week.
- Where
- St. Petersburg, Russia.
- Why
- The envoys are seeking Hubbard’s release, and the New York Times report describes the effort as showing the benefits of deal-making with Putin.
Russian prosecutors
Stephen Hubbard and his lawyer
Allegations
Russian prosecutors
Prosecutors said Hubbard joined a Ukrainian territorial defence unit, received training and weapons, and was promised $1,000 a month.
Stephen Hubbard and his lawyer
Hubbard told his lawyer the charges were false and that he was not in any combat or military unit.
Capture
Russian prosecutors
Russian state media alleged Hubbard was manning a Ukrainian military checkpoint when detained.
Stephen Hubbard and his lawyer
Hubbard told his lawyer Russian soldiers grabbed him from his house; Reuters said it could not independently establish the circumstances of his capture.
Russian investigators alleged Hubbard joined a Ukrainian territorial defence unit in Izium.
Russian state media said Hubbard was detained.
A Moscow court convicted Hubbard of being a mercenary and sentenced him to six years and 10 months in prison.
Washington designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained.
Trump’s negotiators met with Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo.
Witkoff and Kushner plan to meet Putin in St. Petersburg, according to the New York Times report.
- Age
- 72, according to Meduza; 74, according to the Straits Times
- Sentence
- Six years and 10 months in prison
- Conviction
- Mercenary charges, October 2024
- Planned meeting
- October 21, 2026, in St. Petersburg
- US designation
- Wrongfully detained, January 2025
3 sources
What people are saying
a long-held American