Retired Michigan teacher released from Russian prison believed he would never be freed
Summary
Retired Michigan teacher Stephen Hubbard said he did not believe he would be freed from a Russian prison until guards gave him new clothes and escorted him to a car. He was released on 21 October after more than four years in custody and met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.Key Facts
- Hubbard, 74, said he had repeatedly heard that he would be released but did not trust those assurances.
- Russia accused Hubbard of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine; his legal team denied the accusation and said he took part in no military activity.
- Hubbard said he began to believe he was free when he was taken from the prison and driven from Moscow toward St Petersburg.
- Trump said he had asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Hubbard and that the United States did not have to release anyone in return.
- Trump described Hubbard as someone he wanted to bring back during their meeting in the Oval Office.
- The White House allowed a limited group of journalists to attend the meeting, including mainly photographers and a television crew.
- The article says observers viewed the release as potentially benefiting Russia’s efforts to influence Trump’s position on the war in Ukraine and as a diplomatic gain for Trump before the 3 November midterm elections.
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