Latest news with #RazomforUkraine
Politico
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Politico
Agonizing about Alaska
With help from Joe Gould Subscribe here | Email Eric TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Here at NatSec Daily, we want to know how you feel about the information you're getting in your inbox every day. Time is running out to complete our survey, so let us know what's working for you, what isn't and what we're missing. Take the survey here. And with that, to the news at hand. Following President DONALD TRUMP and Russian leader VLADIMIR PUTIN's arrivals in Anchorage for their consequential meeting, it's been getting even more difficult to read the signals coming from the White House about what to expect. Aboard Air Force One en route to Alaska, Trump sounded like he planned to go tough pushing Putin to commit to a ceasefire. He told reporters, 'I want to see a ceasefire rapidly. I don't know if it's going to be today, but I'm not going to be happy if it's not today.' (Of course, the two leaders could always agree on a nominal or partial ceasefire proposal that disadvantages Kyiv). In a move that allayed some fears from boosters of Kyiv, White House spokesperson KAROLINE LEAVITT told reporters that the official meeting would no longer be just the two leaders and their translators. Secretary of State MARCO RUBIO and special envoy STEVE WITKOFF are now expected to join Trump in a three-on-three meeting with Putin and two other senior Russian officials, Leavitt said. She did not say which Russian officials will join Putin. 'Trump's hand just got stronger in being able to stare down Putin,' said DOUG KLAIN, an analyst at the group Razom for Ukraine, shortly after the update from Leavitt. That optimism, however, likely deflated once both leaders arrived and gave each other a warm handshake. Trump then let Putin ride with him in the Beast, the presidential limousine, with seemingly no translators or aides in tow. That scene is probably not helping allies of Kyiv who are nervous about the meeting. They argued before the welcome that even if Putin agrees to a ceasefire, any further delay in imposing harsh sanctions on Moscow could still give Russia the space necessary to regroup and the resources to reequip and prepare for the moment the truce breaks. And even though the bilateral meeting will involve other officials — avoiding comparisons to the infamous 2018 summit between Trump and Putin in Helsinki where the leaders met with just translators joining them in the room — the format of the meeting nevertheless plays into Putin's diplomatic strengths. 'Putin puts a lot of stock in face-to-face diplomacy with people like Donald Trump, who he thinks that he can best,' said DAVID SALVO, a former U.S. diplomat who served in Russia, now at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He argued it's beneficial to Putin 'if you have someone across the table who's susceptible to flattery and who's susceptible to pomp and circumstance.' The Russians are also offering mischievous signals. Foreign Minister SERGEY LAVROV was spotted wearing a USSR sweatshirt, and the Russians were serving 'Chicken Kiev' to journalists on a chartered plane ahead of the summit. For its part, Kyiv is staying publicly optimistic. 'Everyone needs an honest end to the war. Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to end the war. We hope for a strong American position. Everything will depend on this — the Russians are only afraid of American strength,' Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY said in an address today. It's also worth remembering the pressure on Putin, especially since secondary tariffs and sanctions would punish allies — chiefly India and China, which buy the most Russian oil — Russia desperately needs to keep its war effort afloat. Putin has 'got to make this look like it's a success, and he's got to forestall any real cost on his and his supporters and customers,' said The Heritage Foundation's BRENT SADLER. Sadler added that were the meeting to go poorly, 'those capitals will start to question why they are continuing to risk it with Putin. And it just accelerates them stepping back away from Russia —China slower, India faster.' The Inbox WHO'S IN ANCHORAGE: Russia's not the only one bringing a big delegation of officials to the Alaska summit. The White House told reporters today that a gamut of top officials is traveling with the president to Anchorage. Those accompanying Trump include Rubio, Treasury Secretary SCOTT BESSENT, Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK, Witkoff, White House chief of staff SUSIE WILES and top aides STEVEN CHEUNG, Leavitt and JAMES BLAIR. Defense Secretary PETE HEGSETH is also going to Alaska but is traveling separately. The list, and the fact that Rubio, Witkoff, Bessent, Lutnick, Hegseth and Wiles will accompany Trump at a lunch with the Russian delegation, suggests that the Trump team may wish to discuss more than security issues with their Russian counterparts. Joint Chiefs Chairn Gen. DAN CAINE and U.S. European Command's Gen. ALEX GRYNKEWICH will also be on the ground with the president. Their presence is notable since Caine and Grynkewich have emerged as quiet but important players in policy discussions in the Pentagon and White House and have the kind of high-level operational military experience that Hegseth lacks. POLITICO reported Thursday that the Russian officials accompanying Putin are Lavrov, Defense Minister ANDREY BELOUSOV, Finance Minister ANTON SILUANOV, Russian sovereign wealth fund head KIRILL DMITRIEV and senior Kremlin aide YURI USHAKOV. Related: Will Trump and Putin's meeting be successful? Here are 6 things to look out for by our own Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing and Gregory Svirnovskiy RENT FREE FOR NOEM: Homeland Security Secretary KRISTI NOEM is crashing at a home on a Washington military base intended for the head of the U.S. Coast Guard — and apparently isn't paying the U.S. government rent for her lodgings. As The Washington Post's Marianne LeVine, Liz Goodwin and Dan Lamothe report, Noem is living in a spacious waterfront house on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, and they scoop that Noem isn't paying rent to live there. The home, dubbed Quarters 1, is intended for the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; Trump's pick for the position has yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Cabinet secretaries are permitted live at houses on U.S. military bases, but only if they pay the government for the fair-market value of the property's rent, according to federal law. Government ethics specialists, former and current Coast Guard officials and former top DHS officials are expressing concern that Noem will be perceived as using her position as a Cabinet secretary to accrue unfair perks, according to the Post. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson TRICIA McLAUGHLIN told the Post the move was necessary after British tabloid the Daily Mail published photos of the surroundings of Noem's apartment building in Washington's Navy Yard neighborhood; that article led to Noem being doxed, McLaughlin said. McLaughlin also accused the Post of not having empathy for Noem, whom she described as a 'rancher.' The Post, however, noted that Noem is estimated to have a $5 million net worth and makes more than $200,000 a year as a Cabinet secretary. SHIPS HEADED SOUTH: The U.S. Navy is sending as many as 4,000 Marines, an amphibious ship, several destroyers and a submarine to patrol the Caribbean, a defense official and a person familiar with the deployment confirm to NatSec Daily. The deployment, which kicked off Thursday, 'is meant to send a signal' in the region, according to one of the officials. NatSec Daily granted anonymity to speak about a deployment that hasn't been formally announced. Such a large U.S. Navy presence in the waters off Central and South America is a rare occurrence, but it comes as the Trump administration is prioritizing Western Hemisphere security and countering drug shipments to the U.S. The deployment of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group cut a large presence in the SOUTHCOM region, which rarely sees such a large American military footprint. The Iwo Jima, an amphibious ship bristling with fighter planes and carrying Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, will lead the group, which will likely stay in the region for several months. Joining will be several destroyers, a cruiser and a P-8 submarine surveillance plane. The deployment was previously reported by CNN. DRINKS WITH NATSEC DAILY: At the end of every long, hard week, we like to highlight how a prominent member of the national security scene prefers to unwind with a drink. Today, we're featuring David Salvo, the former diplomat to Russia. On a hot, 'disgusting' day like today, David goes for a Pilsner. But otherwise, he told us he's partial to a gin martini — extra dirty. Your host, being a gin martini lover, of course asked which gin is his preference. He's told us he's not a picky martini drinker. 'I'll take a Hendrick's or Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire. It's fine. Any of the above or a rail gin, it doesn't matter,' David said. A wonderful sentiment! Cheers, David! IT'S FRIDAY! WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at ebazail@ and follow Eric on X @ebazaileimil. While you're at it, follow the rest of POLITICO's global security team on social media: @dave_brown24, @HeidiVogt, @jessicameyers, @RosiePerper, @ @PhelimKine, @felschwartz, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @reporterjoe, @JackDetsch, @samuelskove, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130 and @delizanickel Keystrokes IMITATION IS THE BEST FORM OF FLATTERY: Russian disinformation operations are creating fake news articles impersonating U.S. news outlets as part of an effort to spread Kremlin propaganda around the war in Ukraine. The fake articles are being spun up by a group researchers have dubbed Storm-1679 and have been tracking since at least 2022. As part of Russia's extensive influence campaign, the group has tried to spread disinformation around the 2024 Paris Olympics, the German elections and Ukraine's mobilization effort. As our own Dana Nickel reports, most of the content published by this group rarely gains traction. But its capabilities are improving with the latest developments in artificial intelligence technology. The group was behind a fabricated E! News video in February that claimed the U.S. Agency for International Development paid for celebrities to visit Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. That video got boosted by DONALD TRUMP Jr., ELON MUSK and other high-profile critics of Kyiv and went viral. Our POLITICO Pro subscribers had this news first in t oday's issue of Morning Cybersecurity. Want to get this sharp reporting delivered to your inbox every morning? Here's more information on how you can become a POLITICO Pro yourself. The Complex THE FILIPINOS ARE FOCUSED: The U.S. briefly deployed two Navy warships near Scarborough Shoal this week after a dramatic incident in which two Chinese vessels collided while chasing a Philippine patrol ship — the latest in a string of aggressive encounters in the contested South China Sea. Last year, Chinese coast guard forces assaulted Filipino personnel near at the Second Thomas Shoal, with one sailor losing his thumb after his craft was rammed and boarded. This time, Filipino mariners came out on top. 'They've become quite sophisticated,' said Sen. TODD YOUNG (R-Ind.), who happened to be on an official visit to the Philippines during the incident told Morning Defense (For Pros!). 'From coast guard boat handling to first aid and maritime domain awareness, you're seeing a real evolution — not just more training, but a shift in posture. They're responding to China's new tactics with greater capability and resolve.' Young has a bill to boost joint U.S.-Philippines coast guard patrols to counter Chinese coercion. 'To the extent they see the United States actively assisting them, … I would anticipate they'd be prepared to fight with us,' he said. Given growing alarm in Washington about China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific, the bill has good odds of becoming policy (either as part of a larger defense bill or as policy implemented directly by the administration). Asked whether open conflict between China and the Philippines felt close, Young was blunt: 'I would answer your question pointedly: It does,' he said. 'That's why they're so focused right now, because they think this is incredibly precarious situation, and they're resolute and asserting their sovereignty.' The USS Mobile and USS Gabrielle Giffords, both littoral combat ships, operated near Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday before departing, according to Indo-Pacific Command. Broadsides TO PUTIN, WITH LOVE: Trump may go to greet Putin's plane, but that doesn't mean Alaskans are rolling out the red carpet for the Russian leader. As our colleague Veronika Melkozerova reports, Alaskans are protesting Putin, flying Ukrainian flags and toting signs accusing the Russian leader of war crimes in Ukraine. The organizers of a rally in Anchorage said 'Alaska opposes tyranny' in a post on social media, calling on supporters to 'protest against an international war criminal hanging out here.' The protesters include organizations that advocate for Alaska Natives and those that advocate for environmental and racial justice in the Great North. Allies of Kyiv were quick to spread images of the Alaska protests. 'Ukraine and Alaska — Russian never again,' OSTAP YARYSH, a spokesperson for the Razom for Ukraine foundation, said in a post on X, along with footage of the protest. Transitions — SUSANNA BLUME is returning to the Center for a New American Security as a distinguished senior fellow for its defense program. Blume served as director of the Office of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation at the Department of Defense during the Biden administration. — KELLY RAZZOUK is now vice president for policy and advocacy at the International Rescue Committee. She previously was senior director for Democracy and Human Rights at the National Security Council in the Biden White House. — DAVID COOK has joined the office of Rep. DARRELL ISSA (R-Calif.) as the representative's national security adviser. He was most recently director of national security at open source intelligence company ShadowDragon and was a TechCongress fellow in Issa's office. What to Read — Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker: How an Asylum Seeker in U.S. Custody Ended Up in a Russian Prison — Toby Gati, POLITICO: Putin's 'America Guru' Changed His Mind About the US. Here's What That Means for Ukraine. — Genevieve Glatsky and María Silvia Trigo, The New York Times: From a Compound in the Woods, Evo Morales Runs a Phantom Campaign Monday Today — Center for Strategic and International Studies, 9:30 a.m.: Preview of the Trump-Lee Summit — Foreign Policy, 11 a.m.: Debriefing the Trump-Putin Summit — Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, 11:30 a.m.: Trump Meets with Putin: Experts React Live Thanks to our editors, Heidi Vogt and Emily Lussier, who would do an awful job negotiating with the Russians.
Ya Libnan
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Alaskans greet Putin with Ukrainian flags, protest ‘war criminal hanging out here'
Several hundred people gathered for a pro-Ukraine rally in Anchorage, Alaska, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are set to meet Friday. The high-stakes summit — the first in-person meeting between an American president and Putin since the latter launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, is meant to lay the ground for a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not invited to the summit, scheduled to kick off around 11 a.m. local time at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Protesters on Friday morning ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's arrival in Anchorage. | Protesters started to gather early on Friday morning ahead of Putin's arrival in Anchorage, chanting pro-Kyiv slogans and demanded that Russia return the 20,000 Ukrainian children it has kidnapped from the war zone . The protesters also took umbrage at Trump inviting Putin to a meeting on American soil in Alaska, which used to be Russian territory until it was sold to the United States in 1867. 'Ukraine and Alaska — Russian never again,' Ostap Yarysh, media advisor of Razom for Ukraine foundation, said in a post on X , along with footage of the protest. The local organizers of the rally said 'Alaska opposes tyranny' in a post on social media , calling on supporters to 'come together in Anchorage, Alaska, to protest against an international war criminal hanging out here.' 'The decision to host Putin, a war criminal, on Alaskan soil is a betrayal of our history and the moral clarity demanded by the suffering of Ukraine and other occupied peoples,' the Native Movement NGO said in a statement , calling for Trump not to make a deal with Putin. Trump said he planned to organize a trilateral meeting with the Ukrainian president and Putin soon after the Alaska meeting. The U.S. president said there were 'three ideas' for locations — and 'by far the easiest' would be staying in Alaska. Ukraine and its European allies have expressed some cautious optimism about the summit, after Trump hardened his criticism of Putin over his role in prolonging the war and floated the idea of U.S. security guarantees to facilitate a ceasefire, something he had previously rejected. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday confirmed that stance, saying in a press conference Thursday : 'To achieve a peace, I think we all recognize that there'll have to be some conversation about security guarantees.' Though Trump initially floated the idea of Ukraine 'swapping land for peace,' he later promised Ukrainian and European leaders that he would not discuss the issue with Putin and without Zelenskyy. Politico
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US senators introduce bipartisan resolution demanding return of abducted Ukrainian children
Washington, D.C. — In a rare display of bipartisan unity, a group of U.S. senators has introduced a resolution calling for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, urging that no peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine be finalized until all minors are safely repatriated. The resolution condemns what it describes as Russia's systematic abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. It states that "Russia's abduction and Russification of Ukrainian children demonstrate Russia's intent to erase the Ukrainian nation and identity." The effort is being led by a group of six senators, including Republicans Charles E. Grassley, Roger Wicker, Joni Ernst, and Rick Scott, and Democrats Amy Klobuchar, Dick Durbin and John Fetterman. The resolution underscores that the invasion of Ukraine has increased the vulnerability of children to multiple threats, noting that the "invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has significantly increased the risks of children being exposed to human trafficking and exploitation, child labor, sexual violence, hunger, injury, trauma, deprivation of education and shelter, and death." According to Ukrainian authorities, as of April 16, more than 19,500 children have been confirmed as unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to Russia, Belarus, or areas of Ukraine under Russian occupation. So far, only 1,274 have been returned to Ukrainian-controlled territories. Read also: Because of Russia, my child understood fear early The resolution frames the abduction of children as a violation of international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention, citing Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article II(e) of the Genocide Convention, which prohibits the forcible transfer of children from one group to another. The U.S. State Department's 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report has also documented Russia's recruitment of child soldiers and described the country as a global epicenter for state-sponsored human trafficking. Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based nonprofit supporting Ukraine, has endorsed the resolution. The organization stated, "This is an important step in President Donald Trump's March 19 promise to ensure Ukrainian children abducted by Russia are returned to their families. By kidnapping over 19,546 children from Ukraine, Russia is simultaneously erasing these children's identities as Ukrainians while holding them hostage. The United States must say clearly that children are not bargaining chips and must be returned immediately." Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center and former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said that "Ukraine's kidnapped kids are counting on Congress and President Trump to insist that Moscow free them. Full stop." "According to available data, Russia has abducted more than 19,400 Ukrainian children since 2022 — an outrageous crime. Freeing Ukraine's children should be a prerequisite to any negotiations, and I thank President Trump for expressing his desire to help free Ukraine's children." Mykola Kuleba, CEO and founder of Save Ukraine and former ombudsman for children in Ukraine, emphasized the urgency of returning the children. "As a nonprofit leader working to rescue and reunite these children with their families, I'm grateful for every voice raised on their behalf. We deeply appreciate leaders urging action to ensure that these children are safely returned with urgency," he said. The resolution also references earlier remarks by former President Donald Trump, who has claimed he could persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to release the abducted children. "President Trump help make sure those children were returned home," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and then-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz at the time. In 2022, Putin signed a decree that made it easier for Russian families to adopt Ukrainian children. The Russian government revised its adoption laws to fast-track the placement of abducted children with Russian families, often after stripping them of their names, language, and national identity. The State Department's Conflict Observatory reports that at least 35,000 children have been affected by these forced transfers. Researchers say the data is vital to Ukraine's ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate abducted children. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for their roles in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. The United States has also sanctioned at least 32 individuals and three Russian entities for their involvement in these abductions and related human rights violations. The bipartisan resolution signals that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are united in condemning Russia's actions and in demanding the immediate return of Ukraine's children. Read also: As Russia trains abducted children for war, Ukraine fights uphill battle to bring them home We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Epoch Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Recently Released Russian Ballerina Prisoner to Visit White House
A Russian American ballerina freed last month from a prison in Russia as part of a prisoner exchange, Ksenia Karelina, is set to visit the White House on Monday to meet with President Donald Trump, a White House official told The Epoch Times. The 33-year-old dual citizen's visit underscores the delicate balance of negotiations with Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Karelina, a Los Angeles resident and amateur ballerina who was born in Russia and became a U.S. citizen in 2021, was arrested in February 2024 while visiting family in Yekaterinburg. Russian authorities The charity, Razom for Ukraine, a New York-based nonprofit, denied funding military efforts and said its group is focused on humanitarian aid. 'The case against Ksenia Karelina was a farce from the moment of her detention,' Dora Chomiak, the charity's CEO, said in a Related Stories 2/20/2024 4/19/2025 'Peacefully demonstrating solidarity with the people of Ukraine is not a crime.' Russia's Federal Security Service claimed the donation supported Ukraine's armed forces. Karelina pleaded guilty in August 2024 and was sentenced to 12 years in a maximum-security prison. Her release on April 10 came after intense negotiations between American and Russian intelligence agencies, culminating in a swap at an Abu Dhabi airport overseen by Central Intelligence Agency director John Ratcliffe. 'Honored to greet Ksenia Karelina early this morning and help get her returned home to the United States. Grateful for the CIA officers who worked to make this success possible,' Ratcliffe 'President Trump will continue to work for the release of all wrongfully detained Americans.' To secure the deal, the United States freed Arthur Petrov, a dual Russian German citizen accused of smuggling military-grade electronics in violation of sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a pardon for Karelina, a gesture seen as a nod to improving ties with the Trump administration, which has signaled openness to dialogue with Moscow to end the Ukraine conflict. The exchange reflects a broader pattern of U.S.–Russia prisoner swaps, including the February release of American teacher Marc Fogel for Russian cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik. Fogel also visited Trump at the executive mansion. Karelina's White House visit, symbolizing Trump's 'peace through strength' policy, comes as his administration pushes for a Ukraine peace deal, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff expected to visit Moscow soon.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A Los Angeles woman arrested in Russia has been freed in a prisoner swap. Here's what we know
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Moscow has freed a Russian American convicted of treason in exchange for a Russian German man jailed on smuggling charges in the U.S. The prisoner swap was completed Thursday and Ksenia Karelina was "on a plane back home to the United States,' U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X. She was arrested in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg in February 2024 and convicted of treason on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. U.S. authorities have called the case 'absolutely ludicrous.' Here is what is known about Karelina and Russia's case against her: Who is Karelina? Karelina, also identified in some media as Ksenia Khavana, is a citizen of the U.S. and Russia who had lived in Los Angeles. The independent Russian news outlet Mediazona said that she had received U.S. citizenship after marrying an American. Isabella Koretz, owner of a Beverly Hills spa where Karelina had worked for eight years, told The Associated Press last year that Karelina, a ballet dancer, came to the U.S. to study at the University of Maryland in Baltimore before relocating to California. She said Karelina is now divorced and does not have any relatives in the U.S. According to Koretz, Karelina tried to see her family in Russia at least once a year, usually around Christmas and New Year's. Koretz said Karelina flew to Russia from Istanbul in early January 2024 for a two-week trip to spend time with her 90-year-old grandmother, parents and younger sister. That's when she was arrested. What was she convicted of? Russia's Federal Security Service alleged that Karelina had been 'proactively' raising funds for a Ukrainian organization since February 2022 — money that it says was 'subsequently used to purchase tactical medicine, equipment, weapons and ammunition by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.' The First Department, a Russian rights group, said the charges stemmed from a $51.80 donation to a U.S. charity aiding Ukraine. The agency said she also took part in 'public actions' in the U.S. in support of Kyiv. Koretz said last year that Karelina actually was collecting funds for humanitarian aid and had made a donation to Razom for Ukraine, a U.S.-based nonprofit that says it provides medical kits and disaster relief to those affected by Russia's invasion of the country. 'We're talking about diapers and formula, that's what she was collecting money for,' Koretz said. 'We're not talking about money for weapons.' What has the charity said? Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine, said in a statement Thursday that the charity's staff was overjoyed at the news of Karelina's release. Chomiak thanked President Donald Trump and his team for working to make it happen. 'She was unconscionably jailed for over a year for exercising the same freedoms that every American citizen holds, and that all Ukrainians are fighting to keep," the statement said. 'We're incredibly grateful that she's free — but the work will not end until all Americans and Ukrainians held unjustly in Russian captivity are released and Russia's ambitions to destroy and conquer Ukraine are defeated.' Who did the Americans release? Arthur Petrov, a Russian German, was freed by the U.S. as part of the prisoner swap in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, according to the Federal Security Service, or FSB, Russia's main security and counterintelligence agency. Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics to Russia. He was extradited to the U.S. a year later.
