Trump Meets Hubbard After 4 Years in Russian Prison

President Trump met with Stephen Hubbard in the Oval Office on Friday, three days after the 74-year-old retired teacher landed back in the United States following more than four years in a Russian prison. Reporters were invited in as Trump called Hubbard a "very special man" who "suffered greatly."

Hubbard was detained on accusations that he fought as a mercenary for Ukraine. His release was announced during a meeting between a U.S. special envoy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Asked by CBS News' Jennifer Jacobs about the moment he learned he was getting out, Hubbard said: "I heard it many times before and I reached the state where seeing is believing.. Only when they started giving me new clothes and leading me to the exit of the prison."

Trump said there was no swap involved in the release. He told reporters last week that he had weighed sanctions passed by Congress while the matter was under discussion: "We were in the midst of negotiating.. If I would have done that, you would not have Mr. Hubbard coming back." The president has not reimposed those sanctions since Hubbard's release.

Hubbard's case dates to his detention more than four years ago, and he remained in Russian custody until his return to the U.S. last week.