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Trump meets with Stephen Hubbard at the White House after release from Russian jail
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- President Trump met with Stephen Hubbard, an American recently released from a Russian prison after more than four years, at the White House, calling him a "very special man" who "suffered greatly."
- Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher accused of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, returned to the U.S. last week and described his release as a moment he only believed when he was led out of prison and accompanied by Russian officials.
- Hubbard revealed he would not have survived another year in the Russian prison, highlighting the harsh conditions he endured.
- Trump denied that Hubbard’s release was part of a prisoner swap but suggested it was linked to his decision to exempt Russia from certain sanctions during ongoing negotiations.
- Since Hubbard’s release, President Trump has not reimposed the sanctions on Russia that were passed by Congress.
