The ambassador of Russia to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has called on the United States to end its practice of pursuing Russian nationals in third countries. Antonov emphasized that Russia has always made efforts to secure the release of its citizens in American custody, and described the return of these jailed citizens as a top priority.
Antonov’s statement came in response to a Wall Street Journal report which claimed that Russia had shown limited interest in negotiating prisoner swaps with the US to free dozens of its detained citizens. The ambassador strongly refuted these claims, stating that Russia stands for the speedy return of all its citizens held in US prisons and finds speculation on this matter unacceptable.
Furthermore, Antonov condemned the US administration’s practice of “hunting” for Russians in third countries and demanded an end to this policy. He criticized the US for living in its own world and ignoring the interests of other states. Antonov made it clear that Russia would never agree to such practices.
The ambassador emphasized that the fate of every Russian languishing in US jails is of great concern to Russia, and that the embassy takes measures to monitor their health and detention conditions. Antonov also mentioned that the issue of prisoner exchanges is handled by authorized bodies, citing the successful negotiations for the freedom of Viktor Bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko as examples. These prisoners were exchanged for individuals held by Russia.
Antonov urged US politicians and media outlets to allow the competent bodies of both countries to work quietly on this matter. He called for an end to playing with the fate of people and emphasized the importance of leaving the search for necessary solutions to professionals.
The ambassador’s remarks followed reports that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Paul Whelan, a former US marine who was sentenced to 16 years in prison on espionage charges in Russia. Blinken assured Whelan that the US was doing everything it could to bring him home, stating that Washington considers him to be wrongfully detained.
The issue of jailed citizens has been a point of contention between Russia and the US for some time. Both countries have accused each other of politically motivated detentions and demanded the release of their respective citizens. This ongoing issue reflects the strained relations between Russia and the US, and highlights the challenges in resolving such cases through diplomatic means.
In conclusion, Russia considers the return of its jailed citizens in US prisons as a top priority. The ambassador’s statement called for an end to the US practice of pursuing Russians in third countries and emphasized the importance of prisoner exchanges handled by authorized bodies. This issue continues to strain relations between Russia and the US, highlighting the complexity of resolving such cases through diplomatic channels.
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