A high-profile prisoner swap has unfolded as Russia released an American detainee during talks in St Petersburg, following a direct request from former US President Donald Trump. The move comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Moscow and Washington, with Trump’s envoy praising Russia’s leader as a "humanitarian" despite an international arrest warrant for war crimes. The American, held for over four years on allegations of mercenary activity in Ukraine, was freed during a meeting that also saw discussions on ending the conflict. The development highlights shifting dynamics in US-Russia relations, even as legal and geopolitical disputes persist.
Russia frees Stephen Hubbard after US request while Steve Witkoff praises Putin, wanted by ICC as war criminal, as a ‘humanitarian’Europe live – latest updatesUS politics live – latest updatesVladimir Putin ordered the release of an American from a Russian jail as he met Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid increasingly close relations between Moscow and Washington.Trump had previously asked Putin to free Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher who had spent more than four years in Russian jails on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. Continue reading...
