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U.S. President Donald Trump said contacts with Moscow have intensified as the administration works to end the Russia-Ukraine war, telling reporters at a White House roundtable that a resolution may be "closer than ever before."

Trump also discussed the release of American teacher Stephen Hubbard from Russian custody, saying the matter had been raised in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that nothing was given to Russia in return.

Talks with Moscow continue

Trump said his administration keeps working to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end and that contacts with Moscow have picked up. "The other day Vladimir Putin and I were talking about resolving the Ukraine war," he said. "I think we are approaching a solution on this. Maybe right now we are closer to a solution than ever before."

Trump, who has previously suggested Moscow is more willing than Kyiv to reach a deal, said: "We are continuing negotiations with Russia to stop the war with Ukraine."

Russia and China stay out of Iran conflict

Trump said he was "quite pleased" that Russia and China have not become involved in the war process involving Iran, noting in particular that Russia has stayed out of it despite having the capacity to take part.

American teacher released

Trump said he raised the case of Stephen Hubbard, an American teacher released from detention in Russia, during his phone call with Putin, and that Putin showed interest in the matter. "We gave Russia nothing in exchange for his release, which is a very rare situation. We gave nothing on this," Trump said.

Hubbard had set off for the United States together with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump said, adding that the administration was very pleased with the step taken by Russia. A U.S. citizen, Hubbard was detained in Ukraine after Russia's attacks in 2022 and accused of "working as a mercenary in the Ukrainian Armed Forces."

Born in Michigan and described as having worked as a teacher, Hubbard had traveled to Ukraine's Kharkiv region in 2014. The 74-year-old was sentenced in Russia in October 2024 to six years and 10 months in prison.

Key takeaways

• Trump said the U.S. is "closer than ever" to a solution to the Russia-Ukraine war and that talks with Moscow have intensified.
• He said negotiations with Russia continue to stop the war with Ukraine, repeating that Moscow is more willing than Kyiv to make a deal.
• Trump said he was "quite pleased" that Russia and China have stayed out of the war process involving Iran.
• American teacher Stephen Hubbard was released from Russian custody and left for the U.S. with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.