Kremlin said on Wednesday that a Russian citizen was released from a US arrest by Moscow, by US professor Marc Fogel, in a prisoners’ exchange agreement that, according to the Russian government, could help to build confidence with Washington.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov minimized the president’s suggestion, that the prisoner exchange agreement could contribute significantly to ending the war between EEA.
Peskov said the liberated Russians would return home in the coming days and would not have their identities revealed until they were back to the Russian ground.
Fogel, 63, was serving a 14 -year sentence for drug smuggling after being caught at a Moscow airport with a small amount of marijuana. He was taken by plane on Tuesday to Washington, where he celebrated his release with Trump at the White House.
End of war?
The prisoner exchange agreement was the first Russia made with Trump’s new administration since on January 20 for a second non -consecutive term. Trump said liberation “could be a very important part” of the end of the three -year war in Ukraine.
Asked about this comment, Peskov said any agreement on prisoners is the result of “a very, very meticulous negotiation work.”
Continues after advertising
He added: “Of course, these agreements are hardly able to become a decisive moment, but at the same time, little by little, these are steps to build mutual confidence, which is now at its lowest point.”
Trump and the president of Russia said they are willing to meet to discuss Trump’s ideas to quickly end the war, but no date for any summit was announced.
US National Security Counselor, Mike Waltz, said Fogel was released in a trading prisoner exchange “which serves as a demonstration of good faith of the Russians and a sign that we are walking in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible War in Ukraine ”.
Continues after advertising
Trump had said that someone else would be released on Wednesday without identifying who it would be. He called the terms of Fogel’s liberation of “very righteous.”
“We were treated very well by Russia. In fact, I hope this is the beginning of a relationship in which we can end this war (Ukraine) and millions of people stop being killed, ”said Trump.
Peskov refused to comment on the possibility of new release.
Continues after advertising
Unnamed stop
Fogel was released under the custody of Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who made an unnamed stop in Moscow on Tuesday to pick him up.
O Washington Post said that, according to the presenter of Fox NewsSean Hannity, Witkoff, a real estate developer and longtime Trump friend, had a three and a half hour meeting with Putin. Peskov said he had nothing to say about it.
Asked what the United States gave up in exchange for Fogel, Trump told reporters earlier: “Not much,” and called the prisoners’ exchange of a demonstration of good faith on the part of the Russians.
