CBS News reported Oct. 30 that President Donald Trump was scheduled to meet Stephen Hubbard at the White House that day, after Trump said Russia sanctions could have jeopardized Hubbard’s return. The network cited people familiar with the plan.
Hubbard, 74, had retired from teaching. CBS reported that he returned to the United States the previous week after more than four years in Russian custody. The outlet said Russian authorities accused him of fighting for Ukraine as a mercenary.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Hubbard’s release in St. Petersburg on Oct. 21, during a meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. EPAM Law, which acted as Hubbard’s Russian counsel, said Putin had pardoned him. EconoTimes previously reported on Hubbard’s release during the Putin-Witkoff meeting.
Trump said there had been no “swap” for Hubbard. CBS said he appeared to connect the decision to exempt Russia from a sanctions package approved by Congress with Hubbard’s release. In its Oct. 30 report, the network said Trump had not reinstated the sanctions since Hubbard returned.
