Russia and the United States have held talks on a possible new prisoner exchange, said in an interview with Axios, Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and a key figure in diplomatic channels between the two countries, News.bg reports.
A US representative confirmed that such discussions had taken place and described Washington's approach as "responsive", but specified that no agreements or concrete plans had been reached.
At least eight American citizens are currently in Russian prisons. The release of illegally detained Americans is a priority for President Donald Trump, and a potential swap could be used by Moscow as a signal of goodwill despite tensions over Ukraine.
According to a source familiar with the talks, Russia hopes that a possible swap "will show goodwill and build more trust" between the two countries. The discussion is part of the agenda during Dmitriev's visit to the United States on October 24-26.
“I met with American officials and members of President Trump's team on some humanitarian issues, including possible prisoner swaps,” Dmitriev said.
A US official added: “The talks were positive, but no agreements were reached. The United States would welcome the release of any American held captive.
Neither the U.S. nor Russia have revealed which specific individuals would be involved in a possible exchange.
Russia has already released two Americans in previous deals this year: Mark Fogle and Ksenia Karelina. Other high-profile Americans have been swapped in recent years, including journalist Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and basketball star Brittney Griner.
According to Reuters, Washington has provided Moscow with a list of nine Americans it wants returned. Eight of them appear to still be in Russian custody:
Stephen James Hubbard, 73, detained in Ukraine, accused of being a mercenary;
David Barnes, convicted of alleged child abuse;
Robert Gilman, a former Marine, convicted of assaulting a police officer;
Eugene Specter, convicted of bribery and espionage;
Michael Travis Leake and Robert Romanov Woodland, convicted of drug trafficking;
Daniel Joseph Schneider, convicted of kidnapping his own child;
Gordon Black, a military officer convicted of theft and making threats.
Axios notes that the list may not be exhaustive and it is not known whether these names were the subject of recent talks between Moscow and Washington.