The release of Alexander Vinnik was born when an unnamed US citizen was released by Russian ally Belarus in another transaction.
After Moscow released American teacher Mark Vogel, the Russian cybercrime boss was released from US prisons. This is a mutual release as President Donald Trump aims to build a bridge with Russia and end the war in Ukraine.
Russian cryptocurrency hacker and money launderer Alexander Vinnik was in Northern California on Wednesday waiting for a transport to Russia, Reuters said cited an anonymous Trump administration official. I’m reporting.
Vinnik said more than $100 million should be confiscated by the US government before being repatriated.
Vinnik, who was arrested in Greece for money laundering fees in 2017, was handed over to the US in 2022. He pleaded guilty in May 2024 to conspiracy to commit money laundering after raising $4 billion in revenue from ransomware attacks, identity theft, drug rings and other criminal activities. Through his cryptocurrency exchange, BTC-E.
Vogel, a US teacher who was released from prison from Russia on Tuesday, had been sentenced to 14 years in 2021 for drug smuggling after being caught at Moscow Airport along with small amounts of medical marijuana.
The 63-year-old flew to Washington the same day, where he celebrated his release with Trump at the White House.
US national security adviser Mike Waltz said Vogel’s release “serves as a sincere show from the Russians and as a sign that we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine. I will.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the prisoner exchange helped rebuild trust between Washington and Moscow, but weakened the proposal that could lead to a breakthrough in Ukraine.
“Of course, such contracts can hardly be groundbreaking moments, but at the same time, these are steps to building mutual trust, and are at the lowest point now,” Peskov said. I did.
In another deal announced Wednesday, the White House confirmed that it has secured the release of another US citizen serving prison time in Belarus.
The White House, which did not name it a detainee, declared the release a “surprising victory” for the Trump administration and as evidence of the president’s “trading ability.”
“President Trump’s strong leadership led to the release of Americans who were unfairly detained by Belarus and two political prisoners,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
“We are continuing to commit ourselves to the release of other US citizens in Belarus and elsewhere,” he added.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a US government-funded media outlet, named one of the releases from a prison in Vilnius, Belarus’ capital, Andrei Kuzneczyk.
Adam Bohler, the candidate for Trump’s hostage envoy, said Belarus had released another American woman two weeks ago, describing him as “phase one” of the deal.
“Phase 2 took place today,” Bohler said, adding that the deal was “one-sided” and that the US gave nothing in return.
During a press conference, the White House said Wednesday’s release was the 11th day for a US citizen who has been jailed overseas since Trump took office later last month.
The release of prisoners was part of a wider diplomatic push by the White House, regaining ties with Moscow and ending the war in Ukraine. This has pledged to do this “within 24 hours” after Trump took the oath during the presidential election.
On Wednesday, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone and agreed to begin negotiations on a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump said he thought he was on his way to “peace” after an hour’s call.