Trump Ties Russia Sanctions Waiver to Stephen Hubbard Release After 4 Years in Detention
Updated
Updated · CNN · Oct 21
Trump Ties Russia Sanctions Waiver to Stephen Hubbard Release After 4 Years in Detention
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Oct 21
Summary
Trump said he held back Russia-related sanctions because imposing them during talks would have doomed efforts to free Stephen Hubbard, an American imprisoned in Russia for more than four years.
Asked about the waiver, Trump told CNN that sanctions relief was part of smoothing negotiations over both Hubbard’s release and a broader push to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The explanation undercut Trump’s earlier East Room claim that the United States gave Moscow “nothing in exchange” for Hubbard’s freedom.
The waived measures were part of Russia legislation Trump signed earlier this year, and some Republicans — including Sen. Darline Graham, whose campaign Trump was attending — have opposed the move.