By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV Related Press
MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin stated Wednesday {that a} Russian citizen was freed in the USA in trade for Moscow’s launch of American Marc Fogel, however refused to determine him till he arrives in Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters that the unidentified particular person would return to Russia “in the coming days,” and his title could be revealed when he returns dwelling — not like throughout previous prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Washington, when Russians and People had been launched concurrently and their identities had been revealed straight away.
“Recently, work has been intensified through the relevant agencies, there have been contacts,” Peskov stated in a convention name with reporters. “And these contacts have led to the release of Fogel, as well as one of the citizens of the Russian Federation, who is currently being held in custody in the United States. This citizen of the Russian Federation will also be returned to Russia in the coming days.”
Requested by reporters if the Russian launched as a part of the deal might be Alexander Vinnik, Peskov stated that the title of the person being freed could be introduced upon his return. Vinnik, arrested in 2017 in Greece on the request of the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud expenses. was later extradited to the USA the place he pleaded responsible final yr to conspiracy to commit cash laundering.
Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov demurred when requested to elaborate on the deal that led to Fogel’s launch, saying that such contacts “love silence” and deploring that Washington rushed to announce Fogel’s launch.
“Our American colleagues have chosen to announce the results, we have a different approach to the agreements reached,” he stated. “For efficient diplomacy, we prefer to observe confidentiality agreements.”
Fogel, an American historical past instructor who was deemed wrongfully detained by Russia, has been launched and was returned to the U.S. on Tuesday in what the White Home described as a diplomatic thaw that would advance negotiations to finish the combating in Ukraine. Fogel was arrested in August 2021 and was serving a 14-year jail sentence.
Steve Witkoff, a particular envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump, left Russia with Fogel and introduced him to the White Home, the place Trump greeted him. Fogel, who’s from Pennsylvania, was anticipated to be reunited along with his household.
Trump declined to say if he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Fogel and didn’t say what the USA supplied in trade for Fogel’s launch.
Chatting with reporters on the White Home on Tuesday, Trump prompt that Fogel’s launch may assist anchor a peace deal on Ukraine, saying: “We were treated very nicely by Russia, actually. I hope that’s the beginning of a relationship where we can end that war.”
The Kremlin was extra cautious, nevertheless it additionally famous that the deal may assist strengthen mutual belief.
“Such agreements can hardly serve as a turning point, but they are little steps toward building mutual confidence, which is at its lowest level,” Peskov stated.
Initially Revealed: February 12, 2025 at 7:30 AM EST
