The Trump administration is closing in on a deal with Moscow that would free multiple Americans held in Russian detention, according to two U.S. officials and another source familiar with the matter.

Negotiations have focused on Stephen Hubbard, a 72-year-old retired teacher from Michigan who is the only American in Russia officially designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department. Hubbard was captured by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine at the start of the 2022 invasion and later sentenced to nearly seven years in prison on charges of mercenary activity. His case has drawn particular attention because of his age and the circumstances of his detention, which began amid the early chaos of the conflict.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have led the talks, which sources described as being in the final stages. Witkoff is expected to travel to Moscow this week after meetings in Oslo, Norway. President Trump confirmed he has spoken at length with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Hubbard and asked for his release. The involvement of senior figures like Kushner underscores the priority the administration places on resolving these cases through high-level channels.

Officials cautioned that nothing has been finalized and the deal could still fall through or change in scope. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Tuesday that dialogue on prisoner issues continues through intelligence channels but offered no specific updates on Hubbard. This measured response reflects the cautious nature of such sensitive discussions between the two nations.

The potential agreement follows the recent humanitarian release of former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman, who had been held since 2022. Russia freed him without any exchange after a pardon approved by Putin on humanitarian grounds. Trump highlighted the move as a goodwill gesture, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted it as part of broader efforts to bring Americans home. The Gilman case demonstrated that unilateral actions remain possible even when full swaps are under negotiation.

Previous high-profile swaps between the U.S. and Russia have involved journalists and other detainees, though this round would mark another step under the current administration's approach to securing releases through direct engagement. Such efforts build on a pattern of using backchannel communications to address humanitarian concerns amid strained bilateral relations.