Russia is open to discussing a new prisoner swap with the United States, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with NBC News on December 10.
He stated that Moscow would "definitely be prepared to consider" a deal similar to the one completed on August 1, which was the largest exchange of prisoners between the two countries since the Cold War.
Ryabkov said such an exchange could be “a healthy step forward” to improve relations between Russia and the US as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
However, he did not provide a timeline for when such an agreement might happen.
He explained that it would require a “step-by-step approach from both sides,” which could involve pardoning prisoners.
The August exchange, arranged with help from Turkey, included the release of 26 people from seven countries. Among those freed was Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, whose detention had drawn criticism from around the world.
Ryabkov’s comments suggest that Russia sees prisoner swaps as a useful way to ease tensions with Western countries. These agreements not only resolve individual cases but can also set the stage for wider discussions on other issues.
The US State Department has not yet responded to Ryabkov’s statement.
