Putin announces release of American prisoner during meeting with Witkoff

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the release of American professor Stephen Hubbard during a meeting with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. Hubbard, who had been imprisoned for four years, was accused of mercenary activities in Ukraine. Putin stated that Hubbard was at the St. Petersburg airport awaiting his return to the U.S. Witkoff expressed gratitude for the gesture and described previous talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as productive. Additionally, Putin offered assistance regarding the crisis with Iran and expressed interest in restoring economic cooperation with the U.S., including supplying fertilizers.