Analysis: Prisoner Swap is to Keep Us Sweet
By Ivor Bennett, Moscow Correspondent
The Latest Us-Russia Prisoner Swap is a Further Sign of the Thawing Relations Between Moscow and Washington, But I Think Its Also An Individual.
Rewind Two Months to 11 February. You might remember there was another prisoner swap.
Out of the Blue, 63-YEAR-RELD American School Marc Fogel, Who Had Been Imprisoned in Russia on Drug Smagling Charges, Was Suddenly Released and Himme Home to the us.
It was part of a deal that had been Secured Following A Secret Trip Trip to Moscow Steve Witkoff, and it marked the first sign of movement towards a peace deal in ukraine.
At the time, Donald Trump Said it “Cult Be a Big Important Part” of Ending the Conflict. The Presentant Said it was a show of good fait from the Russian.
It also marked the first sign of the rapprocement between the White House and the Kremlin.
AS, THER HAVE BEEN VARIOUS FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS BETWEEN THE Two Sides, at Varier Levels.
There are been (at least two) Phone Calls Between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
We’ve Had Talk of Sanctions Relief, Business Deals and The Resumption of Direct Flights.
But’s Just That. Talc. There’s Still Nothing Concrete, Much to Donald Trump’s Frustration, it seems.
Basic Istanbul Talks Show Lack of Progress
The Latest Round of Us-Russia Talks, in Istanbul Today, is an Example of the Lack of Progress.
Washington Said The Meeting Would Be Soly Focused on “Embass Operations”.
That Means Issues like Paying Salaries (which has been hard ha the hard sanctions), diplomatic travel restrictions and the employment of external controlrs and gardeners and gardeners (which Moscow Currently Forbids For The Us Mission).
So for now, it’s stylly really basic Stuff.
As the us State Department Said Yesterday, Ukraine is “Absolutly not on the Agenda”.
Russia in Driving Seat and Prisoner Swap is to Keep Us Sweet
What’s Striking is that a peace deal appears on the Reset of the Rates, Rather Than The Orther Way Around.
To me, that’s a sign that Russia is in the drive seat, and not the us.
Today’s Prisoner Exchange is Part of All This.
Like February’s Swap, I Think It’s A show of Goodwill, and an attempt.
It Certainly Shows Donald Trump That the Relationship in the Right Direction.
And, on a personal level, for ksenia karelina and every family, it is a huggey signifant moment.
But on the Geopolitical Level, these are styll Just Crumbs Russia is Offfering, note the WHOLE CAKE.
