US discusses prisoner exchange with Russia from time to time – Kommersant

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that the Russian Federation and the United States are discussing through special channels the issue of prisoner exchanges. According to him, the discussion of exchanges is conducted through special channels and is not regular.

“Exchanges are discussed through special channels from time to time,” Mr. Ushakov said in interview journalist, author of the program “Moscow. Kremlin. Putin” Pavel Zarubin.

Vladimir Putin’s aide added that periodic contacts between Russia and the United States and on other issues are currently maintained. “Some contacts exist, but periodically – from time to time. On the diplomatic side, these are contacts between the Foreign Ministry and the embassy and, accordingly, the State Department and our embassy in Washington. Including about visas,” he specified.

On May 12, CNN, citing sources, reported that the US administration was considering weakening sanctions against the FSB as a measure to facilitate prisoner exchanges with Russia. Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov declaredthat Russia fundamentally does not discuss the US sanctions policy.

USA want as a result of the exchange, get the American Paul Whelan accused of espionage (in 2020 he was sentenced to 16 years in prison), as well as arrested in March, according to the same article by Evan Gershkovich, a journalist for the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal.

Alexander Kislov