Russia released American Stephen Hubbard from prison. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release.

Russian state media also reported his release. Reports say Hubbard was freed at Pulkovo airport.

The airport is in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The United States did not have to free anyone in return.

Fox News said the release followed Trump urging Putin to free him. Deutsche Welle said the release happened during talks.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin during the talks. The talks were a fresh push to end the war in Ukraine.

Hubbard is 74 and a retired teacher. Russian forces captured him in Ukraine years ago.

He was detained in April 2022. He was sentenced to six years and 10 months on mercenary charges. His family and a lawyer in the United States questioned the charges.