# US-Russia diplomatic negotiations for American prisoner > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-russia-diplomatic-negotiations-for-american-prisoner > Updated: 2026-10-23T15:43:56.000Z. Sources: 64. Developments: 3. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in diplomatic efforts regarding the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American citizen detained in Russia. Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher from Michigan and Air Force veteran, had been sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison on charges of mercenary activity related to his alleged involvement with Ukrainian forces, which he denied. Hubbard had been held since his capture in Izyum, Ukraine, in April 2022. Following meetings between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Putin in Saint Petersburg, Hubbard was released after serving more than four years in custody. President Trump stated the release followed a direct request he made to Putin and emphasized that no prisoner swap was required. Both the United States and Russia have denied that the release was part of an exchange involving Mikhail Zvinčuk, a Russian military blogger recently detained in Montenegro. President Putin described the release as a ‘humanitarian gesture of goodwill.’ During negotiations, Putin announced that Russia would soon begin shipping 40,000 tons of diesel to the United States, facilitated by a U.S. Treasury Department waiver of sanctions. The release has drawn criticism from U.S. Republican lawmakers, including Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, particularly following Witkoff’s characterization of Putin as a ‘humanitarian.’ New details regarding Hubbard’s detention emerged from former Ukrainian prisoners, who reported he was subjected to harsh treatment, including physical beatings, electrocution with stun guns, sexual humiliation, and being forced to sing the Russian national anthem. Witnesses alleged Hubbard was specifically targeted due to his American nationality and was denied adequate food and medical care for untreated wounds and skin diseases. While Hubbard has returned to the United States, at least nine other Americans are believed to remain imprisoned in Russia. ## Claims - The release of Hubbard did not involve a prisoner exchange. (disputed by 12 sources) - Donald Trump later suggested decisions regarding sanctions were linked to the release. (disputed) - Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Russia released 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Steve Witkoff called Vladimir Putin a humanitarian. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Stephen Hubbard was sentenced to nearly seven years in a penal colony in 2024. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Stephen Hubbard was released from Russian custody. (corroborated by 8 sources) - A potential trilateral summit between Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping is being discussed for November in Shenzhen. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Senator Thom Tillis described Witkoff's statement as ‘embarrassing and outrageous’. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Russia is ready in principle to rejoin three-way talks with the US and Ukraine. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Stephen Hubbard released from Russian prison after four years American Air Force veteran Stephen Hubbard has been released from Russian prison after four years. Both nations deny the release was a swap for Russian blogger Mikhail Zvinčuk. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-air-force-veteran-stephen-hubbard-released-from-russian-prison ### 2026-10-21: Donald Trump claims no concessions were made for release of detained American President Donald Trump says no concessions were necessary for the release of detained American Stephen Hubbard, though he noted that planned sanctions could have jeopardized the negotiations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-claims-no-concessions-were-made-for-release-of-detained-american ### 2026-10-21: Stephen Hubbard released from Russian detention American citizen Stephen Hubbard has been released from Russian detention after four years. The release followed a meeting between envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin, sparking backlash over Witkoff's praise 51 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zelenskyy-visits-norway-for-diplomatic-talks-on-ukraine-war --- Cite as: US-Russia diplomatic negotiations for American prisoner. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-russia-diplomatic-negotiations-for-american-prisoner