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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American taken captive by Russian forces years ago in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American taken captive by Russian forces years ago in Ukraine.
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<p>US was not required to give anything in return for Stephen Hubbard’s release ‘out of respect for President Trump’, he claims</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for Breaking News US email</a></p></li></ul><p>The US president has just posted on Hubbard’s release, saying: “Welcome home Stephen, it’s great to have you back.”</p><p>The statement posted on his Truth Social says the prisoner release was the result of a direct request Trump made to Putin in a telephone call last week.</p><p>The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return - an unprecedented situation for Russia.</p><p>There was no “swap” necessary for this release. This major return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration, which got nowhere in its negotiations with the Kremlin. Stephen is on his way back home.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/oct/21/donald-trump-south-carolina-data-centers-midterms-ukraine-witkoff-russia-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a>