Talks on possible exchanges must consider both the interests of each side, Moscow states.
The Kremlin, Russian Foreign Ministry and the US have both stated that there have been no concrete results from negotiations to swap prisoners.
This was in response to US Secretary Antony Blinken’s Wednesday claim that Washington had made “a mistake.” “substantial offer”Brittney Griner (basketball star) was released from Russia several weeks ago. She is being held on drug-related charges in Russia. Paul Whelan is still behind bars for spying.
According to CNN’s sources, the Biden administration suggested swapping the two Americans for Russian businessman Viktor Bout, who had been sentenced to 25 years in the US on accusations of smuggling weapons that had later been used against American troops.
“What we know is that so far there have been no agreements in this area,”Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin press secretary) stated.
Moscow was also aware, he said. “reports and statements”The possibility of a prisoner swap was mentioned, but it was also added “when those issues are being discussed such information leaks don’t happen.”Only the public is notified “already fulfilled agreements,”He pointed it out.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also said that the talks were being carried out by “the relevant ministries.”
“No concrete results have been reached yet,” she concluded, adding that Moscow believes that “the interests of both sides should be taken into account” during the negotiations on such issues.
Konstantin Yaroshenko (Russian pilot) was released in April after spending 12 years in a US prison for drug smuggling charges. He was then exchanged with Trevor Reed, a former marine from the United States who had previously been sentenced to nine years in Russia for drunken assaults on officers.
The exchange was made possible by a “lengthy negotiation process,” according to Russian diplomats.
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