Trump Praises Putin for Releasing American Detainee

Hubbard had been held in Russian custody since April 2022. Trump stated the retired schoolteacher was released at his request during a telephone call with Putin last week.

He further asserted the United States was not required to give anything in return. No "swap" was necessary for this release, Trump claimed.

Hubbard was convicted of being a mercenary and sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison. He has denied the accusations against him.

Trump suggested this return should have taken place long ago through the Biden Administration. He claimed the current administration "got nowhere" in its negotiations with the Kremlin.

Separately, the former President’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin to discuss ideas on ending the war in Europe. Following this meeting, Moscow agreed in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the US.

Trump claimed Russia and Ukraine are "maybe now the closest we’ve been" to ending the war. The US president has reportedly made a new push to end the Ukraine war, putting pressure on Kyiv to agree to a settlement.

Despite these diplomatic movements, Russia has continued to launch missile strikes at Kyiv. Douglas Alexander stated, "We see him as somebody who illegally invaded Ukraine at the start of this conflict, who has been responsible for conduct by his government that included attempted assassinations on UK soil."

Alexander added, "So we simply do not recognise the description of Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian." He emphasised, "In contrast, we are crystal clear that we stand foursquare behind Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine in their battle for freedom."

Meanwhile, Andy Burnham spoke with Finland’s President Alexander Stubb on Wednesday evening. The Prime Minister and Mr. Stubb spoke via phone call.