Trump Secures Release of American Prisoner Taken Under Biden
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American prisoner Stephen Hubbard has been released from Russian custody following a request by President Donald Trump to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a statement posted by Trump.
The president said the release was secured without a prisoner swap or concessions from the United States, contrasting the outcome with the Biden administration’s unsuccessful negotiations with the Kremlin.
Trump said Hubbard is now on his way home to reunite with his family.
Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released from prison, at the request of President Donald J. Trump, made directly to President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation last week. Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return – an unprecedented situation for Russia. There was no “swap” necessary for this release. This major return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration, which got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin. Stephen is on his way back home. “Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back,” stated President Trump.
Trump also said that people apologized to him for criticism over his moves with Russia.
Numerous people, who requested that sanctions be immediately imposed on Russia, have called to apologize to President Trump in that they didn’t know that he was negotiating the release of Stephen Hubbard, a truly big and important deal for the U.S. If sanctions would have been placed, certainly those negotiations would have come to a complete and total halt.
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Biden should have done the Hubbard release long ago! What a difference a President makes!
Hubbard’s son thanked the Trump administration for securing his father’s release.
Hubbard’s son Joseph Coleman thanked Trump and other US officials for securing his father’s release.
“Never once did we waver as we prayed for success in these negotiations, and we must acknowledge that this humanitarian move by President Putin in this matter is deeply appreciated,” he said.
Hubbard was jailed in Russia for over four years.
Russia accused Hubbard of fighting for Ukraine.
The State Department formally declared that Hubbard has been wrongfully detained.
Stephen Hubbard, a U.S. citizen who was jailed in Russia for more than four years after being accused of fighting for Ukraine, has been released from custody, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed Wednesday during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
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Hubbard, a 74-year-old Michigan native, was the last American in Russia whom the State Department had formally declared wrongfully detained. As many as 10 other Americans, including dual nationals, remain in Russian custody.
Hubbard, who is in poor health, was expected to be flown to Texas for treatment at a military hospital.
