Trump Says He Asked Putin to Free Stephen Hubbard, American Teacher Jailed in Russia
Photo: The New York TimesPresident Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Stephen Hubbard, a retired Michigan teacher held by Russia for four years. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he has discussed Hubbard with Putin at length and told reporters to remember the question in a couple of days, hinting at a possible release. No deal appears finalized. Russian forces seized Hubbard from his home in Ukraine months after Russia's 2022 invasion. Russia accused him of manning a checkpoint and fighting for Ukraine, and he was convicted in October 2024 of being a mercenary and sentenced to seven years. He has spent two years in a penal colony. According to The Hill, Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff are leading negotiations in Moscow this week.
Right-leaning coverage leads with Trump's hint at a release, adding the negotiators, Hubbard's sentence and the administration's count of more than 100 Americans freed from foreign jails. Left-leaning outlets stress that Trump confirmed the U.S. effort and Hubbard's seizure in Ukraine. Alternative / independent outlets had not reported the story at the time of writing; left- and right-leaning outlets had.
How the sides differ Right sources stress a possible imminent release, negotiators and the administration's record; left sources emphasize Hubbard's seizure in Ukraine and confirmation of U.S. efforts; alternative sources have not covered it.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
- The Washington PostTrump confirms U.S. seeking return of retired teacher held in Russia
The New York Times and The Washington Post lead with Trump's confirmation that the U.S. seeks Hubbard's return, noting he is a Michigan teacher seized from his home in Ukraine and held four years.
Not covering this story. None of the alternative or independent outlets Crosswire tracks has reported it yet. What one side leaves out can be as telling as what the others report.
Just the News leads with Trump's hint of a possible release, quoting him, and adds the Kushner and Witkoff talks in Moscow, Hubbard's conviction and sentence, and the administration's tally of freed Americans.