US President Donald Trump has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to release detained American citizen Stephen Hubbard following a direct personal telephone request, describing the development as a diplomatic win amid persistent tensions between Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Trump made the announcement at a Republican campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, on 24 October.

What Trump Said at the Rally

Speaking to supporters, Trump described the exchange in striking detail. 'I called Vladimir Putin on Friday and I said, will you do me a favour? Give me the person you have named Stephen Hubbard, give him back to me, would you, please?' Trump told the crowd. He said Putin agreed immediately, quoting the Russian president as responding: 'I will do that.'

Trump added that Hubbard had since returned to the United States and reunited with his family. 'And he gave him back to us. And he just arrived in our country and it's great, it's great. His family is very happy,' he said.

Key Details Still Unconfirmed

Trump offered no specifics about the arrangements surrounding Hubbard's release. He did not disclose whether Moscow received any concessions in return, whether other diplomatic channels were involved, the precise date of Hubbard's return, or which American officials helped coordinate the transfer. The White House had not issued an independent statement confirming the release at the time of his remarks, and the claims have not been independently verified.

Notably, Trump also referenced Hubbard's son, saying the young man had made a strong impression during efforts to secure his father's freedom. 'I saw Stephen Hubbard's son; he made a great impression. He really wanted to get his father; he was in Russia for years,' Trump said.

Criticism of Biden Administration

The President used the occasion to criticise his predecessor, Joe Biden, arguing that Hubbard should never have remained in Russian custody for as long as he did. 'It was under Biden that they took him, he should have gotten him back that night, the night they took him,' Trump told the rally. The remark is consistent with Trump's broader pattern of contrasting his claimed foreign policy wins with the previous administration's record on detained Americans.

Ukraine War and Broader Russia Policy

Trump's remarks on Hubbard came as part of a wider discussion of his foreign policy record, including ongoing efforts to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 'We're close to ending, I hope, the Russia-Ukraine catastrophe. I hope we're ending that,' he said. He also claimed that an average of 25,000 soldiers were being killed each month in the war — a figure he did not attribute to any source. Trump did not indicate whether Hubbard's release was connected to any broader negotiations involving Russia and Ukraine.

Background: US-Russia Detentions

Russia's detention of American citizens has been a recurring source of diplomatic friction between the two countries. Previous cases — most notably those of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan — required extended negotiations, often involving prisoner exchanges. If confirmed, Hubbard's release through a direct phone call, without a reported exchange, would mark an unusual diplomatic outcome. The broader US-Russia relationship remains strained over Moscow's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.