Just hours before its negotiations with the United States over Ukraine, Russia allegedly freed an American national who had been arrested on drug-related charges.
Hours before the talks were scheduled to start, the New York Times reported that Russia had freed Kalob Byers Wayne on Monday.
The 28-year-old was detained on drug smuggling allegations at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport on February 7 after arriving from Istanbul and reportedly being found in possession of marmalade laced with cannabis.
He attempted to bring a “significant amount” of narcotics into Russia, according to Russian authorities.
Mr. Wayne was placed in 30-day pre-trial custody last week by a court in the Russian capital.
It is unclear whether his release is intended to defuse tensions before future negotiations between the US and Russia.
According to a Kremlin spokesman cited by the US media, the goal of the Saudi-based negotiations is to strengthen ties between Washington and Moscow “so certain events can be viewed in this context”.
The two nations will meet in Saudi Arabia starting Tuesday to talk about putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
However, by doing this, the US has excluded Europe and Kyiv from the talks, which has caused concern on the continent.
Under the Trump administration, European leaders have been forced to acclimate to their new reality, where they are less dependent on the US for security and defense.
President Donald Trump and Marc Fogel in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House.
