Trump says he asked Putin to release American Stephen Hubbard
After the peak, new reports halved every 2 hours so far - this story is still being covered, so the figure moves as reports arrive.
What it is about
Who published it, and when
+ 21 more outlets · 12 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 63 original reports, 4 reprints
Tue, 20 October 2026
4 reports- Le Figaro (France)19:27first to report
Donald Trump a dit mardi avoir demandé à son homologue russe Vladimir Poutine de relâcher Stephen Hubbard, un Américain détenu en Russie.
- Google News - Europe query19:31
Trump says he asked Putin to release American Stephen Hubbard Reuters
- The Hill19:53
President Trump on Tuesday said he’s asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release jailed American Stephen Hubbard, teasing that a resolution could happen within a few days. “Remember that question for a couple of days from now,” Trump said when asked about reports claiming the U.S. was closing in on a deal for Hubbard's release. ...
- krtv.com21:50
Trump says he's been pressing Putin to release Stephen Hubbard, the only American the U.S. has designated as wrongfully detained in Russia, as U.S. emissaries head to Moscow this week.
1 reprint
- 10news.com20 Oct, 21:50their copy
Wed, 21 October 2026
59 reports- Channel News Asia02:14
Trump also said he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Stephen Hubbard - an American taken captive by Moscow's forces years earlier in Ukraine.
- Wirtualna Polska (Poland)02:22
Donald Trump przekazał, że podczas rozmowy z Władimirem Putinem poprosił o uwolnienie Stephena Hubbarda. Amerykanin od 2022 r. przebywa w Rosji, gdzie skazano go na prawie siedem lat kolonii karnej za udział w walkach po stronie Ukrainy.
- DW Top Stories06:46
Steve Witkoff landed in St. Petersburg for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. It comes a day after he met with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy in Norway.
- DW Top Stories06:46
Steve Witkoff landed in St. Petersburg for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. It comes a day after he met with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy in Norway.
- DW Top Stories06:46
During talks between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, Putin announced that jailed American Stephen Hubbard had been released. The Kremlin also said Russia was "in principle" ready to resume trilateral talks next month.
- Le Monde (France)07:55
Avant la rencontre entre le président russe et l’émissaire américain, Dmitri Peskov, le porte-parole du Kremlin, avait affirmé que la Russie voulait « la paix, pas une trêve ». Steve Witkoff avait eu des entretiens avec Volodymyr Zelensky, mardi à Oslo, marqués par des progrès mutuels, selon les deux parties.
- BBC News World09:22
The 74-year-old former teacher, who was captured, has been released without any "swap" required, Trump says.
- Index.hr (Croatia)09:27
RUSIJA je oslobodila 74-godišnjeg Amerikanca Stephena Hubbarda nakon više od četiri godine pritvora. Njegovo puštanje uslijedilo je nakon posjeta posebnog američkog izaslanika St. Petersburgu.
- Der Spiegel (Germany)09:31
Die Nachricht kommt zu einer Zeit, in der sich das Weiße Haus und der Kreml deutlich annähern: Der in Russland zu mehreren Jahren Gefängnis verurteilte US-Bürger Stephen James Hubbard darf in seine Heimat zurück.
- Vecernji list (Croatia)09:35
Donald Trump u utorak je izjavio da je o Hubbardovu slučaju razgovarao s ruskim predsjednikom
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- iheart.com09:39
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher from Michigan, has been released from Russian detention after more than four years. His release followed a visit by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg. President Trump had discussed Hubbard's case with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Die Zeit (Germany)09:40
Auf Bitten von Donald Trump lässt Russland den inhaftierten US-Amerikaner Stephen Hubbard frei. Er soll mit Trumps Sondergesandtem Steve Witkoff in die USA zurückkehren.
- Libération (France)09:42
Le président russe a annoncé ce mercredi 21 octobre la fin de la détention du citoyen américain de 74 ans, accusé d’avoir servi comme mercenaire pour l’Ukraine et détenu en Russie depuis quatre ans. Trump, qui avait demandé la veille sa libération nie toute contrepartie.
- Le Figaro (France)09:49
Cette annonce intervient au moment où le président russe reçoit l’émissaire américain Steve Witkoff à Saint-Pétersbourg.
- Channel News Asia09:55
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired US school teacher who had been held in Russia on mercenary charges, has been released.
- Wirtualna Polska (Poland)09:57
Przywódca Rosji Władimir Putin poinformował, że obywatel USA Stephen Hubbard znajduje się na lotnisku Pułkowo w Petersburgu. Mężczyzna został skazany w Rosji za najemnictwo.
- Dnevnik.hr (Croatia)10:00
- ABC News (Australia)10:04
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old US citizen held in Russian custody since 2022, had been freed and was at Pulkovo Airport in St Petersburg.
- Anadolu Agency (AA)10:08
Trump says US gave nothing in return, confirms no prisoner swap needed for Hubbard's release
- RMF24 (Poland)10:14
Putin wypuścił 74-letniego Amerykanina. Stephen Hubbard wyszedł na wolność
- South China Morning Post10:17
US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to consider resuming US-mediated peace talks with Ukraine and to review new ideas on ending the war amid Washington’s latest push to stop Europe’s bloodiest conflict since second world war. The talks in a grand imperial palace in St Petersburg, the ninth time that Witkoff has met Putin in person, began with a goodwill gesture from Russia – the release of Stephen Hubbard, a retired US teacher held in...
- NPR News10:20
The announcement of Hubbard's release came as talks got underway between Putin and White House envoy Steve Witkoff in Saint Petersburg focused on the latest U.S. efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
- Ukrinform (Ukraine)10:29
A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian leader Vladimir Putin has begun at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg. During the meeting, the release of Stephen Hubbard, an American convicted in Russia, was announced.
- France Info (France)10:35
Condamné fin 2024, l'Américain de 75 ans était détenu en Russie pour "mercenariat" au profit de l'Ukraine.
- businessday.co.za10:45
Closed Moscow trial led to nearly seven-year sentence on disputed charges
- Novinky (Czechia)10:54
Rusko propustilo čtyřiasedmdesátiletého Američana Stephena Hubbarda, oznámil ve středu prezident Vladimir Putin. Muž si v ruském vězení odpykával sedmiletý trest za to, že měl jako žoldák působit v ukrajinské armádě. Šéf Kremlu sdělil americkému vyjednavači Stevu Witkoffovi, že Hubbard čeká v Petrohradu na letišti v Pulkovu, aby se do Spojených států vrátil spolu s ním.
- Google News - Top Stories10:54
Russia frees retired American teacher as Trump envoy meets with Putin NBC News Russia frees 74-year-old American Stephen Hubbard it captured in occupied Ukraine CNN Russia frees American Hubbard after over 4 years in prison, during visit by US envoy Yahoo Who Is Stephen James Hubbard, the American Released by Russia? The New York Times Trump hails Russia’s release of US teacher amid Witkoff’s visit – live The Guardian
- komonews.com10:55
Stephen Hubbard, a retired Michigan teacher, was imprisoned in 2022 on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
1 reprint
- wjactv.com21 Oct, 10:55their copy
- 24sata (Croatia)11:01
Stephen Hubbard, bivši učitelj iz Michigana, 2024. je osuđen na gotovo sedam godina zatvora u kaznenoj koloniji
- time.com11:05
Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired school teacher, had spent more than four years in prison on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
1 reprint
- theepochtimes.com21 Oct, 11:24their copy
- La Repubblica (Italy)11:10
Dopo il patto sul diesel con Trump, Putin ha annunciato di aver rilasciato il cittadino americano catturato dalle truppe russe in Ucraina e condannato a sei anni con l’accusa di essere un mercenario per Kiev
- El País (Spain)11:10
El presidente ruso recibe este miércoles al enviado especial de Washington, Steve Witkoff, que lleva al Kremlin las últimas propuestas de paz de Ucrania
- illawarramercury.com.au11:20
The retired teacher had been imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine and was released...
1 reprint
- bendigoadvertiser.com.au21 Oct, 11:20their copy
- washingtonexaminer.com11:32
Russia released Stephen Hubbard, an American captured in the opening days of the war in Ukraine, upon the request of President Donald Trump.
- latimes.com11:33
Russia has released a retired American teacher imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
- Index.hr (Croatia)11:41
RUSIJA je oslobodila 74-godišnjeg umirovljenog američkog učitelja Stephena Hubbarda.
- Euronews11:45
Around two dozen Americans are still being held in Russian prisons for various reasons, according to the Foley Foundation, a hostage advocacy group.
- The Hill11:50
President Trump on Wednesday said Russia released imprisoned American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who the Kremlin accused of working as a mercenary in Ukraine before sentencing him to prison in 2024. "Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "The United States, out of respect...
- Google News - Top Stories12:00
US citizen Stephen Hubbard freed by Russia as Trump envoy meets Putin BBC Russia releases American teacher imprisoned on Ukraine mercenary charges after Trump pressed Putin Fox News Who Is Stephen James Hubbard, the American Released by Russia? The New York Times Trump hails Russia’s release of US teacher amid Witkoff’s visit – live The Guardian Russia frees 74-year-old US man after plea from Trump CNN
- Vecernji list (Croatia)12:09
Na slobodu je pušten 74-godišnji umirovljeni američki učitelj Stephen Hubbard, rodom iz Michigana. Pritvoren je u travnju 2022. zbog optužbi da je čuvao vojni kontrolni punkt u Izjumu u Ukrajini, gdje je gotovo deset godina živio
- Tagesschau (Germany)12:14
Russland hat den US-Bürger Stephen Hubbard freigelassen. Er war 2024 wegen angeblichem "Söldnertum" für die Ukraine zu einer Haftstrafe verurteilt worden. Nahezu zeitgleich mit dessen Freilassung wurde offenbar ein deutscher Staatsbürger festgenommen.
- Novinky (Czechia)12:27
Máte humanitární cítění, řekl ve středu ruskému prezidentovi Vladimiru Putinovi zvláštní vyslanec americké hlavy státu Donalda Trumpa Steve Witkoff. Učinil tak v rámci poděkování za propuštění vězněného Američana Stephena Hubbarda. Putin v únoru 2022 rozpoutal válku na Ukrajině, během které podle dostupných informací dosud zemřelo přes půl milionu lidí.
- wadk.com12:45
Getty Images / Stock ImagePresident Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Russia on Wednesday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and oversee the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan who had been in Russian detention since 2022, according to reports in Russian state-run media.Witkoff landed in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Wednesday morning, a Kremlin aide confirmed, ahead of the planned meeting with Putin.Trump's envoy...
- The Hill12:50
Russia on Wednesday released American teacher Stephen Hubbard, who was serving a seven-year prison sentence after prosecutors accused him of working with Ukraine as a mercenary following the Russian invasion that launched the war between both countries. President Trump announced the development on Truth Social after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Hubbard was released...
- The Hill12:51
President Trump defended his waiver of Russian sanctions, saying it would have halted negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the release of Stephen Hubbard, a retired schoolteacher who was arrested by Russian authorities when it invaded Ukraine. “Numerous people, who requested that sanctions be immediately imposed on Russia, have called to apologize to President...
- The Hill12:55
President Trump on Wednesday morning praised Russia's release of American teacher Stephen Hubbard after four years of wrongful imprisonment. "Stephen is on his way back home and will soon be with his family. The United States, out of respect for President Trump, was not required to give anything in return - an unprecedented situation for...
- NYT World13:10
Mr. Hubbard, a 74-year-old teacher, was held for more than four years on what the State Department called fabricated charges.
- PBS NewsHour13:15
The release comes at a time when President Donald Trump has taken a series of actions meant to benefit Moscow.
- The Hill14:13
Special envoy Steve Witkoff is facing criticism from lawmakers after calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” for releasing an American who has been held in Russia for years. President Trump had made a direct appeal to Putin for the release of Stephen Hubbard, a teacher who was accused of being a Ukrainian mercenary. Hubbard...
- Kyiv Post (Ukraine)14:59
Putin ordered the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American whom Washington considered wrongfully detained, Russian state media reported. The announcement coincided with Witkoff’s visit to St. Petersburg and followed Trump’s personal appeal.
- The Guardian World15:23
Students, teachers and civil servants have shown up in Athens, with demonstrations also in Thessaloniki and other cities Meanwhile, back to Witkoff’s meeting with Putin in St Petersburg, the US president, Donald Trump, has just welcomed the release of Stephen Hubbard, a US citizen held by Moscow on allegations of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine ( 11:24 ). In a post on Truth Social, he said : “Stephen Hubbard, taken four years ago by Russia during the Biden Administration, was just released...
- The Guardian World21:23
Russia unilaterally frees Stephen Hubbard after US request while Steve Witkoff praises Putin as a ‘humanitarian’ Europe live – latest updates US politics live – latest updates Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American from a Russian jail as he met Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg on Wednesday for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine, amid increasingly close relations between Moscow and Washington. Trump had previously asked Putin to free Stephen Hubbard, a...