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Witkoff heads to St. Petersburg as Trump administration pushes for release of detained American teacher
The Trump administration is in final-stage negotiations with Moscow to release Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American teacher detained in Russia since 2022. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is traveling to St. Petersburg this week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the White House has not finalized a deal, officials indicate that the talks are centered on Hubbard, whom the State Department designates as wrongfully detained. The potential release is occurring amidst a broader shift in US policy, including recent sanctions waivers and increased pressure on Ukraine to end the war.