Who is Stephen Hubbard, the retired American teacher freed by Russia?

Stephen James Hubbard, a retired American teacher, was released by Russia on Wednesday after nearly five years in detention in the midst of an apparent warming of ties between Washington and Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky looks to be seeking a way back from the brink in his relationship with the U.S. — but he does not appear to be finding a receptive audience in President Trump.

American citizen Stephen Hubbard was on his way home to after being freed during a meeting between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff meets with American Stephen Hubbard following his release from a Russian prison. Hubbard had been detained since 2022 and was convicted by a Russian court of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, allegations Hubbard denied.