Report: US and Russia on verge of deal to release American prisoners

The United States and Russia are nearing an agreement to release American citizens imprisoned in Russia, led by Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner. The talks focus on Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old retired teacher. Sources warn the deal may still fall through.

The United States and Russia are nearing an agreement to release several American citizens held in Russian prisons. The negotiations, reported by ABC News, are in their final stages and are being led by US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The talks focus in part on the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old retired teacher, who is designated by the US State Department as the only American citizen held in Russia officially recognized as wrongfully detained. Alongside Hubbard, the possibility of releasing additional American citizens held on charges that the Trump administration questions the credibility of is being examined. Sources familiar with the details warn that the deal may still not materialize, or its scope may change. The report comes ahead of Witkoff's expected visit to Moscow this week. Moscow has also confirmed that contacts are taking place on the matter, but Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov clarified that he has no new details to provide regarding Hubbard.