Russia-US: The Prisoner Swap Olympics Nobody Asked For
KEY POINTS
- â˘Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev visited the U.S. between October 24-26 to discuss a possible new prisoner exchange.
- â˘At least eight Americans remain detained in Russia, including ex-Marines and a 73-year-old accused mercenary.
- â˘The U.S. is receptive but cautious, with no specific agreements made on which prisoners might be swapped.
- â˘Past swaps freed figures like basketball star Brittney Griner and Wall Street journalist Evan Gershkovich.
In a thrilling sequel to geopolitical cat-and-mouse, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev hinted at another prisoner exchange with the U.S. during his Oct. 24-26 U.S. visit, aiming to boost Kremlin-Trump-era goodwill despite messy Ukraine tensions. The clubhouse of detained Americans includes ex-Marine Paul Whelan, basketball star Brittney Griner, Wall Streetâs Evan Gershkovich, and suspiciously, Stephen Hubbardâa 73-year-old mercenary wannabe snatched in Ukraine, who âdefinitely does NOTâ work for Russia, his family insists. Meanwhile, a criminal reunion lineup features David Barnes (the custody dispute abuser), drug offenders, and Gordon Black, who reportedly traveled to meet his Russian girlfriend but ended up convicted for theft and murder threatsâa Tinder date gone psychosocial thriller. The U.S. is slightly optimistic but still won't reveal which prisoners are on the trading block, reminding us bureaucratic suspense beats Netflix.
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Russia and the US might swap prisoners like rare trading cards, apparently mixing mercenaries, basketball stars, and real-life soap opera villains all in one geopolitical binge-watch.
Only in 2025 do international relations hinge on whether you can successfully swap a basketball star for a guy calling his ex-wife's custody battle a âhuman rights issue.â
Forget peace talksâprisoner swaps are the new Tinder. Swipe right for toxic, swipe left for espionage, hope for the best in this diplomatic dumpster fire.
Source: Axios | Published: 11/18/2025 | Author: Barak Ravid
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