WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 The United States will impose new sanctions against Russia for «unlawfully detaining American citizens,» White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said in an interview with Fox News.
«We told Americans not to travel to Russia, we imposed sanctions using the Levinson Act, and we will do it again,» he said.
Despite Washington's desire to increase pressure on Moscow, the US authorities intend to seek the return of their fellow citizens. This also applies to former US embassy employee Mark Vogel, who is accused of smuggling and storing drugs on an especially large scale, Kirby added.
Prisoner exchangeOn the evening of August 2, the largest prisoner exchange in recent years between Russia and Western countries took place. Eight people returned to their homeland:
- Vadim Sokolov (Krasikov), sentenced to life imprisonment in Germany for the murder of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, an active member of the gang underground in the North Caucasus;
- Vladislav Klyushin, accused in the United States of insider trading in securities;
- Artem and Anna Dultsev, convicted of espionage in Slovenia;
- Pavel Rubtsov, detained in Poland on charges of espionage;
- Vadim Konoshchenko, extradited to the US by Estonia and accused of conspiring to evade sanctions;
- Mikhail Mikushin, detained in Norway on charges of illegal intelligence and data collection;
- Roman Seleznev, convicted in the US of cyber fraud.
Historic operation: Russia and the West conducted a prisoner exchange
At the Moscow airport, Vladimir Putin personally met the Russians who arrived on the exchange. The President said that those who had military service would be presented with state awards.
Vladimir Putin personally met the Russians who arrived on the exchange. The President said that those who had military service would be presented with state awards.
1 of 10
Eight prisoners held in prisons in different countries, as well as two children, returned to Russia.
Eight prisoners held in prisons in different countries, as well as two children, have returned to Russia.
2 out of 10
According to a source in one of the competent agencies, some of the prisoners who returned to Moscow were accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence, but their guilt was not proven.
According to a source in one of the competent departments, some of the prisoners who returned to Moscow were accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence, but their guilt was not proven.
3 out of 10
Official Representative Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, commenting on the exchange, called it a battle of self-control between prisoners, political authorities and intelligence services. “In all respects, we are the best,” Zakharova emphasized.
Commenting on the exchange, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called it a battle of self-control between prisoners, political authorities, and special services. «By all accounts, ours are the best,» Zakharova emphasized.
4 out of 10
Among those sent to Russia are the married couple Artem and Anna Dultsev with their children, Vadim Krasikov, Pavel Rubtsov, Mikhail Mikushin, Roman Seleznev, Vladislav Klyushin, and Vadim Konoshchenko.
Among those sent to Russia were the married couple Artem and Anna Dultsev with their children, Vadim Krasikov, Pavel Rubtsov, Mikhail Mikushin, Roman Seleznev, Vladislav Klyushin, and Vadim Konoshchenko.
5 out of 10
A total of 26 prisoners were exchanged in Ankara, 13 of whom flew to Germany and three to the United States.
A total of 26 prisoners were exchanged in Ankara, 13 of whom flew to Germany and three to the United States.
6 out of 10
Wall Street Journal Moscow bureau correspondent Evan Gershkovich, accused in Russia of spying for the US government, walks to a plane for a flight to Ankara at the Moscow airport accompanied by an intelligence officer.
Wall Street Journal Moscow bureau correspondent Evan Gershkovich, accused in Russia of spying for the US government, walks to a plane for a flight to Ankara at the Moscow airport accompanied by an intelligence officer.
7 out of 10
Vladimir Putin signed decrees on pardoning Paul Whelan, Kevin Leake, Evan Gershkovich, Demuri Voronin, Vladimir Kara-Murza*, Alsu Kurmasheva, Lilia Chanysheva, Vadim Ostanin, Ksenia Fadeeva, Alexandra Skochilenko, Ilya Yashin*, Andrei Pivovarov, Oleg Orlov*.
Vladimir Putin signed decrees on pardoning Paul Whelan, Kevin Leake, Evan Gershkovich, Demuri Voronin, Vladimir Kara-Murza*, Alsu Kurmasheva, Lilia Chanysheva, Vadim Ostanin, Ksenia Fadeeva, Alexandra Skochilenko, Ilya Yashin*, Andrei Pivovarov, Oleg Orlov*.
8 out of 10
According to the Kremlin, negotiations on this complex exchange were conducted through the FSB and the CIA, and all their «inner workings» cannot be made public.
As reported in the Kremlin, negotiations on this complex exchange were conducted through the FSB and the CIA, and all their “internal workings” cannot be made public.
9 out of 10
Pictured from right to left: Evan Gershkovich and German citizen Rico Krieger.
The Sverdlovsk Regional Court sentenced Gershkovich to 16 years in a maximum security penal colony for espionage.
Krieger was sentenced to death in Belarus for working for the SBU.
Pictured from right to left: Evan Gershkovich and German citizen Rico Krieger.
The Sverdlovsk Regional Court sentenced Gershkovich to 16 years in a maximum security penal colony for espionage.
Krieger was sentenced to death in Belarus for working for the SBU.
10 out of 10
Vladimir Putin personally met the Russians who arrived on the exchange at the Moscow airport. The President said that those who are related to military service will be nominated for state awards.
1 out of 10
Eight prisoners held in prisons in different countries, as well as two children, returned to Russia.
2 out of 10
According to a source in one of the competent agencies, some of the prisoners who returned to Moscow were accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence, but their guilt was not proven.
3 out of 10
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, commenting on the exchange, called it a battle of self-control between the prisoners, the political authorities, and the special services. «By all accounts, ours are the best,» Zakharova emphasized.
4 out of 10
Among those sent to Russia are the married couple Artem and Anna Dultsev with their children, Vadim Krasikov, Pavel Rubtsov, Mikhail Mikushin, Roman Seleznev, Vladislav Klyushin, and Vadim Konoshchenko.
5 out of 10
A total of 26 prisoners were exchanged in Ankara, 13 of whom flew to Germany and three to the United States.
6 out of 10
Wall Street Journal Moscow bureau correspondent Evan Gershkovich, accused in Russia of spying for the US government, walks to the plane for departure to Ankara at the Moscow airport accompanied by a special services officer.
7 out of 10
Vladimir Putin signed decrees on pardoning Paul Whelan, Kevin Leake, Evan Gershkovich, Demuri Voronin, Vladimir Kara-Murza*, Alsu Kurmasheva, Lilia Chanysheva, Vadim Ostanin, Ksenia Fadeeva, Alexandra Skochilenko, Ilya Yashin*, Andrei Pivovarov, Oleg Orlov*.
8 out of 10
According to the Kremlin, negotiations on this complex exchange were conducted through the FSB and the CIA, and all of their «inner workings» cannot be made public.
9 out of 10
In the photo from right to left: Evan Gershkovich and German citizen Rico Krieger.
The Sverdlovsk Regional Court sentenced Gershkovich in the case of espionage to 16 years in a maximum security colony.
Krieger was sentenced to death in Belarus for working for the SBU.
10 out of 10
Many of them were charged with collaborating with Russian intelligence, said a trustworthy source in one of the competent departments, but in most cases they were not found guilty managed to prove. None of the Russians admitted guilt either in court or while in prison.
During the exchange, three Americans left Russia — Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsou Kurmasheva, as well as the holder of an American residence permit, Vladimir Kara -Murza* and several Russians. Before this, President Vladimir Putin pardoned them all. As the agency's source noted, the West showed interest in the Russians, who were presented as the opposition, since they were in touch with curators from foreign intelligence services and worked for their opponents.
* An individual performing the functions of a foreign agent.
< br>