Hubbard is a retired Michigan teacher, detained in 2022 when Russian forces overran his part of eastern Ukraine. He is the only American in Russia the State Department designates as wrongfully detained, one of at least eight Americans in Russian custody (ABC News). Russia convicted him of fighting as a mercenary and sentenced him to more than six years; the U.S. calls the charges fabricated (New York Times). Witkoff, who meets Putin on Wednesday, Oct. 21, is expected to press for his release (see the Oslo lead).
Where the talks stand
- Trump: "Remember that question for a couple of days from now."
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said talks run "through intelligence service channels" and Hubbard's name was "certainly familiar."
- The price is undisclosed. Trump defended his Russia diesel and sanctions moves on Monday, Oct. 19 by saying "I'm trying to get a hostage"; ABC says what Russia would get is unknown.
- Most details rest on ABC's reporting alone; nothing is finalized.