The story of Stephen Hubbard reflects that he is a rather unusual fellow of considerable travel. The 74-year-old American was released from Russian prison on humanitarian grounds following requests by the U.S. government, state department and President Trump himself.
Stephen Hubbard was a former schoolteacher who taught English in Japan, retired then went to Cyprus where he met a Ukrainian woman Inna and eventually moved to the eastern Ukraine city of Izyum. After the Russian Federation took control of Izyum, Hubbard was accused of engaging in Mercenary activity saying he manned a Ukraine checkpoint during the conflict. {source}
In April 2022 Hubbard was arrested. He was convicted by a Moscow court in October 2024 and sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison. Yesterday he received a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he was released on humanitarian grounds as the Trump administration was negotiating a peace settlement.
STEVE WITKOFF -“Today, Stephen Hubbard is free and headed back home to his family.
Stephen is a proud American citizen, retired teacher, and U.S. Air Force veteran who loves our country.
Now, he is on his way back to a family who loves him, a President who never gave up on him, and a nation that proudly welcomes him home.
It was my honor to be with Stephen in St. Petersburg today before he departed for the United States. President Trump called Stephen to check on him and reaffirm his unwavering commitment to bringing all Americans wrongfully detained home.
Stephen joins more than 110 Americans who [President Trump] has freed since returning to office, including Robert Gilman, Ksenia Karelina, and Marc Fogel.
This release was not part of an exchange – and we extend our thanks to President Putin for releasing him on President Trump’s request.
Thank you to Secretary Rubio, Jared Kushner, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka and the rest of the team for working tirelessly to achieve President Trump’s mission.
President Trump does not leave Americans behind and will continue fighting to bring them all home.” {source}
Will the Trump haters complain that the Trump administration got Stephen Hubbard released?
Will the Trump haters accuse Putin of releasing Mr. Hubbard on the behest of Trump to help Republican’s in the midterms?
You know the left is going to spin this against Trump somehow. They can’t help themselves.
Me? I thank God he was released!
Can’t recall Russia doing anything like this before,, no prisoner exchange required, no concessions of any kind. This speaks well of the relationship that President Trump and President Putin have forged in spite of the obstacles.
Perhaps building up a larger wall against the EU’s violent and greedy ambitions and a larger conflict.
This release was not part of an exchange – and we extend our thanks to President Putin for releasing him on President Trump’s request.
Well traveled Hubbard may know some secrets about Zelensky.
Most certainly.
“The story of Stephen Hubbard reflects that he is a rather unusual fellow of considerable travel.”
Hubbard is being described by the media as a “retired school teacher from Michigan,” but none of his “travel” or “work history” was in Michigan.
After serving in the Air Force Hubbard followed a “travel itinerary” that closely mirrors destinations and timeframes followed by USAID.
His sister says Hubbard was living off a pension of less than $300 a month while he was gallivanting around the globe. Who paid for that travel?
Each and every “news” story about Hubbard was a word for word copy of each other, suggesting that the State Department (USAID?) crafted the story.
I think Suspicious Cat would say that there is way more to this story than is being presented.
A knock?