Exchange of prisoners between the US and Russia in Abu Dhabi

Russia and the United States exchanged prisoners in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, which is a sign of continuing effort to build mutual trust, while the two sides are seeking an agreement to end the Ukrainian war.

Russia Kasinia Carlina released US-Rossiya dual citizenship; He was sentenced to five years in the camp for betrayal of less than $ 5 to a Ukrainian charity in the United States for betrayal of less than $ 5 to a Ukrainian charity.

In return, the United States released the German-Rossiya dual citizenship, Arthur Petrov; He was arrested in Cyprus on charges of exporting sensitive microelectronics in Cyprus.

According to a CIA official, John Ratcliffe, the head of the CIA and a senior Russian intelligence official, have conducted talks on prisoners’ exchange; This indicates an increase in communications between the intelligence agencies of the two countries.

According to a conscious person, Ratcliffe was present at Abu Dhabi Airport, where the exchange was held and he personally welcomed him when Carlina was delivered.

“Today, President Trump returned another American who was unjustly arrested in Russia,” Ratcliffe told a Wall Street Journal. “I am proud of the CIA officers who worked hard to achieve this effort and thank the United Arab Emirates for providing an exchange.”

According to the Russian government and informed sources, Retcliffe has been in contact with Russian Federal Security Service Chief Alexander Bortenikov several times since his presidency of the CIA, as well as talks with Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Narcishkin.

Bortenikov also contributed to the talks that led to the release of the Wall Street Journal, Ivan Gereshkwich, last year.

Senior Russian officials have repeatedly sought to contact the CIA chief, as they see him as a serious negotiation side.

“This exchange shows the importance of maintaining communication lines with Russia, despite the profound challenges in our bilateral relations,” said a CIA spokesman. “Although we are frustrated that some Americans are still unjustly arrested in Russia, we consider this exchange a positive step and will continue to try to release them.”

This is the second exchange of prisoners between Russia and the United States since the start of Trump’s presidency in January, while the two sides are seeking to improve relations. Russia released American teacher Mark Fogel in February and at the same time as US envoy Steve Witekaf’s visit. Moscow announced at the time that Fogel’s release would lead to the release of a Russian citizen in the United States.

In the wake of Trump’s efforts to fulfill his election promise to quickly achieve peace in Ukraine, the Kremlin promotes Washington’s explicit interest in normalizing relations, according to Wall Street Journal. Trump has said that he is unhappy with Russia’s delay in the ceasefire that Ukraine has previously agreed, but has not provided any sign of his intention to put pressure on the Kremlin.

Although high -level diplomatic calls were damaged after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in year 6, Moscow and Washington tried to maintain a line of communication through their security agencies to prevent tension.

Former US President Joe Biden’s White House often used former CIA President William Burns to convey sensitive messages to Russian officials through their intelligence counterparts.

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service announced last month that Ratcliffe and Narcishkin had agreed to maintain a regular connection to reduce tensions between Moscow and Washington and discussed “shared interests”. However, US intelligence analysts have warned that the call should not be seen as a sign of serious intelligence cooperation between intelligence agencies.

Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed to Wall Street Journal that Russia, as part of the prisoners’ exchange, delivered Kasania Carlina to the United States. Waltz says Trump and the Washington government are continuing to work for more detained Americans in other countries.

On the other hand, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that US -Russian -Russian -Russian -based Kasania Carlina, which has been transferred as part of the exchange of prisoners with Russia, is currently on the plane and moving towards the United States.

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