Hubbard was detained in April 2022 in the eastern Ukrainian city of Izium, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian prosecutors accused him of serving as a mercenary for Ukrainian forces, and a court sentenced him to nearly seven years in prison following a closed trial in 2024. The US government had designated him as wrongfully detained.
However, Hubbard’s case has been disputed. Russian state media reported that he pleaded guilty to the charges, while his US-based lawyer previously told Reuters that Hubbard maintained the allegations were false and that he had not served in a military or combat unit.
US President Donald Trump said he had personally raised Hubbard’s case with Putin and asked the Russian leader to release him. The announcement of Hubbard’s freedom came during Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in St Petersburg. According to reporting by the Associated Press, the release did not involve a prisoner exchange.
Witkoff’s visit also focused on diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The US envoy has been involved in attempts to bring Moscow and Kyiv towards negotiations, although major disagreements over territory, security arrangements and the terms of any settlement remain unresolved.
Hubbard’s release marks a significant development for his family after years of detention. It also comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine. However, the release alone does not establish that the wider peace negotiations have made a breakthrough, and further discussions will be needed to determine whether the two sides can agree on a lasting settlement.
