Russia, US Complete Prisoner Exchange Amid Thawing Relations
A high-profile prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States has been completed, with Russian national Alexander Vinnik returning to Russia after the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, Al Jazeera reports.
The reciprocal releases come as US President Donald Trump seeks to foster improved relations with Russia and explore avenues for ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Alexander Vinnik, a Russian citizen previously convicted of money laundering in the United States, was awaiting transport back to Russia from northern California, according to reports. He was required to forfeit over $100 million to the US government as part of the agreement. Vinnik pleaded guilty in May 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering, admitting to funnelling billions of dollars through his cryptocurrency exchange, BTC-e, which the US alleged facilitated proceeds from various criminal activities.
The release of Vinnik coincided with the return of Marc Fogel to the United States. Fogel, a teacher, had been serving a 14-year sentence in Russia for drug smuggling after being found with a small amount of medical marijuana at a Moscow airport in 2021. He was greeted by President Trump at the White House following his arrival in Washington.
US officials have suggested that Fogel’s release is a positive sign. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated it “serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that the prisoner exchange could help rebuild trust between Washington and Moscow, although he cautioned against expectations of a swift breakthrough on the Ukraine issue.
“Of course, such agreements are hardly capable of becoming a breakthrough moment, but at the same time, bit by bit, these are steps to build mutual trust, which is now at its lowest point,” Peskov said.
In a related development, the White House also announced the release of another US citizen who had been detained in Belarus, a close ally of Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed these releases as a “remarkable victory” for the Trump administration, citing the president’s “dealmaking ability.” The White House did not identify the individual released from Belarus.
These prisoner releases occurred as President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a phone conversation where they agreed to initiate negotiations aimed at establishing a truce in Ukraine. Trump expressed optimism about the prospects for achieving peace following the discussions.
