Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years in prison, during a visit by US envoy

Russia on Wednesday released an American who had been jailed for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, in a deal reached during a visit by a top U.S. envoy and at a time when President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow.The White House said Trump had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call last week to free Stephen Hubbard, and that, unlike previous releases, his had not required the U.S. to give up anyone in return.“Welcome home, Stephen, it’s great to have you back,” Trump said in a Truth Social post that said Hubbard, a former teacher from Michigan, was on his way home following a visit to St. Petersburg by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.Hubbard was sentenced after a closed trial in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison. Prosecutors said he had signed a...