Peskov: Hubbard's release not tied to Zvynchuk's freedom

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the release of US citizen Stephen Hubbard is not linked to the release of Russian national Artem Zvynchuk, emphasizing there is no connection between the two events. US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Hubbard is returning home and that the United States gave nothing in exchange for his release. Trump said the release should have occurred under the Biden administration and blamed unsuccessful negotiations for the delay. Hubbard moved to Izyum, Kharkiv region, in 2014 and signed a contract with a territorial defense battalion in February 2022. In October 2024, a Moscow court sentenced him to six years and ten months in prison for mercenary activity, and he admitted guilt.