Russia to Consider Prisoner Exchange with U.S. Ahead of Trump Inauguration

Russia has expressed openness to negotiating another prisoner exchange with the U.S. in the lead-up to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov revealed during an interview with NBC News on December 10.

Ryabkov stated that Russia would "definitely be prepared to consider" a potential exchange, describing it as "a healthy step forward, especially at the beginning of the next (U.S.) administration." He emphasized that such exchanges require extensive coordination, characterizing them as "a multiphased or multistep approach on both sides."

This development comes months after the most extensive prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia occurred in August, with Turkey mediating the transfer. In that exchange, 26 individuals from seven countries, including the U.S., Germany, and Russia, were released. Notably, the U.S. freed Vadim Krasikov, a convicted Russian hitman, among others. In return, the U.S. secured the release of three prisoners, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Gershkovich had been arrested in March 2023 while investigating Wagner Group activities and public sentiment about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Convicted of espionage in June 2024, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison after over a year in pretrial detention.

Russia has faced criticism over what many describe as politically motivated incarcerations. Despite the lack of a clear timeline for the next exchange, Ryabkov’s remarks indicate that the start of a new U.S. administration may provide a conducive environment for renewed negotiations.