Trump hails release of American held in Russia: 'What a difference one president makes'

Donald Trump praised himself Wednesday after Russia released an American who had been held for four years, writing, "What a difference one president makes."

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that Steven Harvard "was just released" after having been detained in Russia since the Joe Biden administration four years ago.

"America didn't have to pay anything," he added. "Unprecedented for Russia."

Trump also wrote that many people who had called for imposing sanctions on Russia had since called to apologize. "If sanctions had been put in place, that negotiation would have been completely shut down," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff, the special envoy sent by Trump, to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine and economic cooperation between the two countries, according to foreign media including the Tass news agency.

Ahead of the meeting, Russia released American Steve Harvard, who had been detained in 2022 on charges of mercenary activity in Ukraine. Trump had repeatedly called on Russia to free him.