Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Robert Gilman freed after Putin talks, Trump says
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that former US Marine Robert Gilman had been released from prison in Russia after his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Russia agreed to release Gilman “very much on a Humanitarian Basis.” He said Russia asked for no one in return and that no exchange took place.
Gilman had been held for more than four years. A court in southwestern Russia sentenced him in 2022 to four and a half years in prison for assaulting a police officer. His sentence was later extended to 10 years for violence against prison staff.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Russia for working with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release Gilman and allow him to receive medical treatment in the United States.
Gilman’s sister, Lexie Hudson, had recently said his health had seriously deteriorated and called for his urgent release.
Rubio said the Trump administration welcomed the release as a “positive step” but was still seeking the immediate return of other Americans it considers unjustly detained, including Stephen Hubbard.
Hubbard, a retired English teacher, was sentenced in a closed trial in October 2024 to nearly seven years in prison for “mercenary work” on behalf of Ukraine, a charge he denies.
Update
US President Donald Trump said his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin led to Robert Gilman's release.
Trump said Russia asked for no one in return and that no exchange took place.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Russia for working with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release Gilman and allow him to receive medical treatment in the United States.
Source note: AFP news report published on 11 August 2026 at 17:15:16 UTC.
Update
Gilman was sentenced in 2022 to four and a half years in prison for assaulting a police officer.
His sentence was later extended to 10 years for violence against prison staff.
The State Department said Gilman had recently been classified as unjustly detained in Russia.
Gilman's sister had recently said his health had seriously deteriorated and called for his urgent release.
The State Department mentioned continued work for other Americans it considers unjustly detained in Russia, including Stephen Hubbard.
Source note: AFP news report published on 11 August 2026 at 16:04:48 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Trump's statement links Gilman's release to his talks with Putin; the supplied information does not provide an independent Russian account of those talks or the decision.
Source
AFP news report published on .