Russia has released Stephen Hubbard, a retired U.S. teacher from Michigan who was imprisoned on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the release. Hubbard had been sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison. Prosecutors alleged that he signed a contract with the Ukrainian military following Russia's troop entry into Ukraine in February 2022. They stated he fought alongside Ukrainian forces until his capture two months later. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had spoken at length with President Vladimir Putin regarding Hubbard's case. "I've been talking to President Putin about Mr. Hubbard. I've been talking to him at length. I've asked him to release him," Trump said. "Let's see what happens."