Kremlin rejects US idea to ease Russia sanctions in exchange for prisoner releases
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson (photo: Getty Images)
The Trump administration's new proposal to ease sanctions on Russia is wrongly framed, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, according to Kremlin News.
The Atlantic recently reported that the White House could ease sanctions on Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners.
The journalists said this could create opportunities for business deals to be signed before the war in Ukraine ends.
According to insiders, John Coale, the US president's envoy to Eastern Europe, is handling the issue on the US side. His plan was based on a favor for a favor principle.
Coale also reportedly wanted to join forces with Steve Witkoff, who is Trump's main point of contact with Moscow.
On September 30, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded for the first time to The Atlantic's report that Trump had backed the idea of easing sanctions on Russia in exchange for political prisoners.
He complained that the White House had allegedly taken the wrong approach in this situation.
"We categorically deny the existence of any political prisoners and consider such a formulation of the issue absolutely inappropriate," the Kremlin spokesperson complained.
According to Peskov, Russian and US security officials remain in contact regarding prisoner exchanges.
The Kremlin previously began to panic over the "blockade" of Kaliningrad and threatened the West with retaliation.
Members of the US Congress have also called on Trump to tighten sanctions against Russia.
