Russian held in US to be freed in exchange for Fogel release, Kremlin says

In a stunning turn of events, Russia has announced that it will release a US citizen held in its custody in exchange for the release of former US Marine Trevor Reed, who is currently imprisoned in Russia. The Kremlin made the announcement on Tuesday, raising hopes that Reed could soon be reunited with his family after being detained for over two years on what many believe are trumped-up charges.

Reed, a 29-year-old former Marine from Texas, was arrested in August 2019 and sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on charges of assaulting police officers while intoxicated. His family and supporters have maintained his innocence, arguing that the charges were politically motivated and that he did not receive a fair trial.

The case has strained relations between the United States and Russia, with Reed’s family and US officials calling for his release. The announcement from the Kremlin that a US citizen will be freed in exchange for Reed’s release comes as a welcome development in the long-running saga.

The Russian citizen to be released in exchange for Reed is said to be a woman named Marina Butina, who was convicted in the US in 2018 on charges of acting as a Russian agent without registering with the US government. Butina, who has since returned to Russia after serving her sentence, has become a cause célèbre in Russia, where she is seen as a victim of US political persecution.

The news of the potential exchange has been met with cautious optimism by Reed’s family and supporters, who have been tirelessly advocating for his release. Reed’s parents, Joey and Paula Reed, have expressed gratitude for the efforts of US officials and diplomats in negotiating his release, but have also emphasized the need for caution until their son is safely back on US soil.

The case of Trevor Reed is just one of several high-profile instances of Americans being detained in Russia in recent years, including former corporate security executive Paul Whelan and former US intelligence officer Paul Whelan. The detention of these individuals has been a source of tension between the two countries, and their release has been a top priority for the Biden administration.

As negotiations continue for the exchange of Reed for Butina, there is hope that this could be a positive step towards improving relations between the US and Russia. The release of Reed would be a welcome development for his family and supporters, who have been tirelessly campaigning for his freedom. It remains to be seen how the exchange will play out, but for now, there is cautious optimism that Trevor Reed may soon be coming home.