Dmitriev Reveals Talks on Potential U.S.-Russia Prisoner Exchange with White House Officials

President Vladimir Putin’s economic representative, Kirill Dmitriev, informed Axios on Tuesday that he had engaged in discussions regarding a possible prisoner exchange between Moscow and Washington during a meeting with White House officials last month.

“I met with some U.S. representatives and members of the Trump administration about humanitarian matters, including potential prisoner exchanges that the U.S. has been considering,” Dmitriev shared in a phone interview with Axios.

Dmitriev, who visited the United States in late October, reportedly brought up the idea of a prisoner swap with Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, along with other unnamed officials from the administration.

A U.S. official confirmed to Axios that the concept of a prisoner exchange was indeed part of the discussions during that meeting, and while the White House was open to the idea, no formal agreement was reached and “nothing is currently imminent.”

According to an anonymous source familiar with the situation, Moscow is aiming to “demonstrate goodwill and establish greater trust” with the United States, especially as talks to end the conflict in Ukraine remain stalled.

Earlier this year, American officials provided their Russian counterparts with a list of nine U.S. citizens they wish to have freed from Russian detention, as reported by Reuters in May. Currently, it is believed that eight of these individuals are still being held in Russia.

Dmitriev, who leads Russia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, along with the unnamed U.S. officials, did not specify to Axios which individuals from either country might be part of a future exchange.

Since assuming office in January, Trump and his administration have successfully negotiated the release of Marc Fogel, a former U.S. Embassy employee, as well as Ksenia Karelina, a U.S.-Russian dual national.