Thursday, October 22nd

What happened

Vice President JD Vance defended Republican Vivek Ramaswamy after Ramaswamy’s campaign confirmed it made a video ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother. The campaign plans to spend $4 million airing the ad statewide, including online and on television, despite backlash. Acton, a former Ohio public health director, is challenging Ramaswamy for governor as Election Day nears. She says she has not seen her mother since 1978, after she and her brother were removed from their mother’s custody following a rape charge against her stepfather. Acton condemned the ad as exploiting her childhood. Ramaswamy said Acton avoids debates and issues. Ohio election officials are reviewing complaints over the ad’s initial lack of a sponsor disclosure.

What happened

Russia released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American, during U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Putin said Hubbard had been taken to the city’s Pulkovo Airport. Hubbard, a retired Michigan teacher who had lived in eastern Ukraine, was detained in 2022. He was sentenced in a closed trial to nearly seven years on charges of fighting for Ukraine as a mercenary. Russia said he joined a territorial defense unit, while his family and U.S.-based lawyer denied military activity. The State Department had designated him wrongfully detained. Trump said he sought the release and gave nothing in return. Hubbard was expected to travel to Texas for medical treatment.

What happened

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin and brought proposals for ending the war after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. Putin agreed in principle to resume trilateral talks with Russia, Ukraine and the United States after Nov. 10, though no venue was settled. Russia also released Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old American held for more than four years; Trump said he requested it and no swap was required. Oslo talks covered security guarantees, recovery and ceasefire ideas, after earlier rounds yielded little beyond prisoner exchanges. U.S. and Ukrainian officials described progress, while Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Russia’s demands had not changed. Technical talks were expected to resume.