Just days after Donald Trump called Vladimir Putin “crazy,” an unexpected development emerged between the two leaders—a prisoner swap agreement.
This surprising move hints at a possible thaw in relations despite the tense rhetoric we’ve seen recently.
The Deal Behind Closed Doors
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, revealed the news during an event in Turkey, praising Trump as “a man who wants results.”
Lavrov tied the swap to ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, while accusing some European countries of trying to “sabotage” the peace efforts.
However, specific details about which prisoners are involved in the exchange have not been disclosed.
Bigger Swaps on the Horizon?
Just four days before this announcement, Trump had already mentioned on his Truth Social platform that a “major prisoners swap” had taken place between Russia and Ukraine—reportedly involving around 1,000 prisoners from each side.
He suggested this exchange “could lead to something big,” but left many wondering what exactly he hoped to achieve by facilitating the deal.
Looking Back and Ahead
If the current prisoner swap between the US and Russia proceeds, it would be the first since American teacher Marc Fogel was released in February after more than three years imprisoned in Russia.
This move could mark a step toward easing tensions, but the question remains—what comes next in this complex geopolitical dance?