Trump succeeded in the talks! Secures the American's release from Russia: Achieved without prisoner exchange

American President Donald Trump announced the release from Russia of American citizen Stephen Hubbard, 74 years old, following a request that, according to him, he had personally directed to President Vladimir Putin the previous week. The former teacher was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison for fighting on behalf of Ukraine. Trump declared that Hubbard was the way to get home, emphasizing that the release was made without exchanging prisoners. The United States Department had described his detention as unjust. The release took place while American envoy Steve Uitkoff was holding discussions with Putin in St. Petersburg. The Russian President announced during the meeting that the 74-year-old had been taken to Pulkovo airport. According to CBS, Hubbard was in poor health and was expected to be transported to Texas for medical treatment. The American President presented the release as the result of direct diplomatic engagement. He also argued that the decision to suspend sanctions against Russia had helped keep negotiations for Hubbard's return open. According to Trump, if the sanctions had taken effect, the talks for the release of the American would have been completely stopped. One day before the announcement, he had foreshadowed developments, telling journalists: "Watch what will happen. We have been focused on Hubbard." Hubbard was captured in 2022, shortly after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Russian prosecutors claimed that he had joined a Ukrainian military unit and had received military training. His family opposed these claims, mentioning his old age and lack of interest in the military. His son, Joseph Coleman, an Orthodox priest, received the news with emotion, saying that he had been praying for this day for years. He described his father's freedom as "a gift of mercy" while hugging him again. During the meeting with Putin, Uitkoff thanked him for the release and described it as "humanitarian". This assessment caused criticism from some Republican lawmakers, who opposed the language used toward the Russian president.