Putin meets with Witkoff in St. Petersburg and announces release of convicted American

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg on October 21 and announced the release of American Stephen Hubbard, convicted of mercenary activities, who is already at Pulkovo Airport.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg on October 21. Kirill Dmitriev also attended the meeting. Jared Kushner was unable to travel due to illness. Witkoff arrived from Oslo, where he had previously held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the meeting, Putin announced the release of American Stephen Hubbard, convicted in Russia for mercenary activities. According to the Russian president, Hubbard is already at Pulkovo Airport. Witkoff, as reported by Russian state agencies, thanked Putin for the release of the US citizen. The article does not disclose details of possible agreements preceding the release and does not include reactions from other US officials.