Trump says he held back new Russia sanctions while negotiating Stephen Hubbard’s release, arguing sanctions would have halted the talks

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that imposing additional sanctions on Russia would have derailed negotiations that led to the release of American detainee Stephen Hubbard.

“Numerous people, who requested that sanctions be immediately imposed on Russia, have called to apologize,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, saying they had not known he was negotiating Hubbard’s release.

Trump said that if sanctions had been imposed during the negotiations, the talks “would have come to a complete and total halt.”

Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American teacher, was released by Russia on Wednesday after more than four years in detention. Trump said he had personally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to free Hubbard during a phone call last week and that the U.S. gave nothing in return.

The Kremlin said Hubbard’s release followed Trump’s request and was made on humanitarian grounds. Hubbard had been convicted in Russia of fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine, an allegation disputed by his family and U.S.-based lawyer. Washington had designated him as wrongfully detained.

Trump’s new post explicitly linked his reluctance to impose further sanctions on Moscow with the effort to secure Hubbard’s freedom. It came amid broader criticism of his approach to Russia and pressure from lawmakers and Ukraine supporters for tougher economic measures against Moscow.