Russia frees American prisoner after more than 4 years behind bars during a US envoy visit

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An American man who had been jailed for more than four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine, was freed by Russia on Wednesday. The deal was completed during a visit by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and at a time when President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow. Trump said in a Truth Social post that he 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. Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher from Michigan, was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison following a closed trial. Prosecutors said he had signed a contract with the Ukrainian military after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and that he fought alongside Kyiv’s forces until being captured two months later. Global's Redmond Shannon reports. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/12110855/russia-frees-american-prisoner/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@globalnews.ca?lang=en #GlobalNews