Washington, Oct. 21 -- US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that Stephen Hubbard, an American citizen previously taken captive by Russian forces inside Ukraine, has secured his freedom and is currently returning to the United States.

The prisoner release was initially disclosed by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Russian news agencies.

Putin reportedly indicated that Hubbard was at Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg, adding that Witkoff expressed gratitude towards the Russian leader for the liberation.

Hubbard, a retired English educator in his seventies, received a nearly seven-year custodial sentence during a closed trial conducted in October 2024 concerning...