Trump Hosts Stephen Hubbard at White House After Release from Russia

President Donald Trump met with Stephen Hubbard in the Oval Office on Thursday, less than one week after the retired teacher was released from a Russian prison. Hubbard had been detained for more than four years while facing charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. His legal team has consistently denied those accusations, stating that he was not involved in any military activity.

Trump told the limited pool of journalists present that Hubbard was a person he specifically wanted to return to the United States. The President said he had requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to free Hubbard and noted that the U.S. did not release anyone in exchange. The White House restricted attendance to primarily news photographers and one television crew.

Hubbard described his initial skepticism regarding his release, explaining that he had heard rumors of his freedom many times before but chose not to trust them. He said he adopted a mindset of waiting for concrete evidence before believing his circumstances had changed.

The former teacher said he finally accepted his release only when he was given new clothes and led toward the prison exit. Hubbard told Trump that the moment he saw a waiting vehicle and was accompanied by Russian officials, he realized he was truly leaving. He stated that during the drive from Moscow to St. Petersburg, he confirmed to himself that he was going somewhere new.