Taylor Speaks with TIME About Russia’s Release of an Imprisoned American

October 21, 2026

TIME

Brian Taylor

Political Science Department

Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs

Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict & Collaboration

Conflict

Federal Government

Government

International Affairs

International Agreements

Brian Taylor

Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American teacher imprisoned for more than four years on mercenary charges, as confirmed Wednesday by Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg. Trump said the release was secured at his request and that the U.S. gave nothing in return.

“The release of Hubbard was a gesture to Trump, nothing more, and does not imply a larger willingness on Putin’s part to make concessions or end the war,” argues Brian Taylor, director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.

Read more in the TIME article, “Russia Releases Imprisoned American Man as Trump Envoy Meets With Putin.”

In Other News

Taylor discussed the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war on LAist's AirTalk. “There really is no sign yet that Putin is interested in a deal to end the war that doesn't give him what he's wanted from the beginning which is victory and control over Ukraine,” says Taylor. “So, although it's always good that there are talks going on, I don't people should get their hopes up too high that we're on the verge of some kind of settlement at this point.”