Putin frees jailed American as Witkoff hails Russian leader’s ‘humanitarian’ gesture
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American man held in a Russian jail, Stephen Hubbard, following a direct request from Donald Trump. The 74-year-old former teacher had been imprisoned for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. The release was unilateral, not part of a prisoner exchange, and was confirmed by Trump on Truth Social.
Trump said the United States was not required to give anything in return, describing it as an unprecedented situation for Russia. The release was announced as Putin met Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff praised Putin during the meeting at Constantine Palace, calling him a humanitarian and saluting that quality.
Witkoff conveyed Trump’s thanks for a deal to resume Russian diesel exports to the United States. He told Putin that they had brought some papers with ideas for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, and that Putin could read them at his leisure. The meeting was described as constructive, with important work remaining, and trilateral talks at the technical level were expected to follow.
Diplomatic shift and tensions
The Kremlin agreed in principle to talks focusing on guaranteeing the security of Ukraine and Russia once the war ends. Witkoff’s remarks contrasted with hostile US rhetoric toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Trump has called on to resign. The rupture in Washington-Kyiv ties was triggered by Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel and his call for Zelenskyy’s replacement after Ukraine refused to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Kyiv complained of disruptions to US intelligence-sharing and restrictions on access to Starshield, a military-grade version of Starlink. Zelenskyy said Washington resumed advance warnings of Russian missile attacks after an Oslo meeting with Witkoff. However, Ukraine still faces Starshield restrictions, with unclear origins.
War aims and economic ties
Putin thanked Trump and his wife Melania for their attention to efforts to end the war. There were few signs of imminent breakthrough, with Moscow giving little indication it intends to end its bombardment of Ukraine as winter approaches. Putin remains intent on maximalist war aims, including full Russian control of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Putin emphasised prospects for closer Russia-US economic ties once the war ends, suggesting Moscow could significantly increase fertiliser exports to the US market. Russian officials said the first tanker carrying diesel to the US would depart Thursday with an initial shipment of about 300,000 tonnes. Energy analysts and traders questioned whether the resumption of Russian diesel imports would deliver meaningful relief to US consumers before midterms, given the small volumes. The talks also touched on a possible meeting in China next month between Putin, Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Kremlin said Beijing was already making preparations for an unprecedented summit between the three leaders.
