Russia frees jailed American teacher as Putin meets US envoy on Ukraine talks

Russia released imprisoned American teacher Stephen Hubbard as US envoy Steve Witkoff met President Vladimir Putin, a new sign of diplomatic movement around the Ukraine war. The release came amid reported progress in US-Ukrainian discussions following Oslo peace talks.

Russia has freed Stephen Hubbard, an American teacher who had been imprisoned in the country, as President Vladimir Putin met US special envoy Steve Witkoff for discussions on the Ukraine conflict. The release is the latest sign of diplomatic movement between Washington and Moscow around the war.

The meeting followed talks in Oslo between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior American officials, which both sides described as constructive. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said proposals discussed with Ukraine would be presented to Russia, raising cautious hopes of progress in diplomatic efforts.

Substantial disagreements remain over sovereignty, territory and security guarantees, and no comprehensive peace agreement has been announced. But the burst of diplomatic activity -- including Witkoff's trip to Moscow -- marks renewed engagement after a period of strained relations between Kyiv and the Trump administration over military support and the terms of a possible settlement.