Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired teacher from Michigan held in Russian detention since 2022, was released Wednesday. The release was overseen by President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who traveled to Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Hubbard was arrested by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in April 2022. His detention has been a point of concern for his family and U.S. officials, particularly given his age and status as a retired educator.

Witkoff met Putin in St. Petersburg on Wednesday morning, with the Kremlin aide confirming the envoy's arrival ahead of the planned meeting. According to a readout published by the Kremlin, Trump's envoy thanked Putin for Hubbard's freedom, describing the Russian leader as humanitarian. Putin stated that Hubbard had been taken to Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg.

The implications of this release are significant, marking a rare instance of a U.S. citizen being freed from Russian detention without an apparent exchange. President Trump himself commented on the release via social media, stating he had personally requested Hubbard's freedom from Putin in a phone call last week and that no "swap" was necessary.

Hubbard's sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, expressed profound gratitude, telling ABC News that she was thanking Trump for acting as the "hand of God" in bringing her brother home. She conveyed that her brother had been gone for a "long, long time" and thanked President Trump for his care for "everyday Americans," adding that the news brought her peace.

Fox mentioned she had not yet spoken with her brother or U.S. officials, having learned of the release through media reports. She indicated that Hubbard would be flown to San Antonio, where a military base typically handles the processing and treatment of released Americans. This detail suggests a structured reintegration process following his extended detention.

Adding further context, Trump posted again on social media to defend his recent decision to waive numerous sanctions against Russia. He argued that placing sanctions would have "come to a complete and total halt" any negotiations concerning Hubbard's release, implying a strategic diplomatic approach.

Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that Witkoff's arrival in St. Petersburg was part of broader negotiations for the release of multiple Americans held in Russia. The focus of these talks, however, was centered on Hubbard and several other U.S. citizens detained by Moscow on charges that have not been fully elaborated upon in public statements.