- Media: US-Russian prisoner exchange in progress
According to media reports, a major prisoner swap between the US and Russia is underway. The news agency AP reported this, citing an unnamed source. Among the Americans expected to be released from Russian custody are US citizens Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, both sentenced to long terms for espionage. There has been no official confirmation of the prisoner swap from either the US or Russia. However, several other media outlets also reported that Russia has agreed to release Gershkovich and Whelan as part of a larger prisoner exchange.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly expressed his willingness for such an exchange. Critics accuse Putin of using political prisoners as hostages to pressure the release of Russians held in Western prisons. In recent days, signs have mounted that a swap could be imminent.
Despite the lack of official confirmation, speculations suggest that I'm not going to spend an extended time in Russian custody anymore, given the potential prisoner swap. Understanding Putin's motives, I might not be used as a bargaining chip in future negotiations.
