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The Progress of Negotiations
Over the course of several years, negotiations between Russia and the West took place through various channels and in different forms. In early 2022, journalist Christo Grozev from The Insider (at that time still an investigator at Bellingcat) proposed a joint exchange between Americans and Germans. The key figures in this proposed exchange were Vadim Krasikov from the West (convicted as a result of investigations by The Insider and Bellingcat) and Alexey Navalny from the Russian side. Initially, the Kremlin insisted on negotiating only with the United States, believing that Washington could influence the Europeans. However, when Krasikov was arrested in Germany, it became clear that Berlin’s involvement was crucial for the negotiations to proceed.
Putin’s plan to exchange Krasikov for American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested for this purpose, did not materialize as the Germans were more interested in discussing an exchange involving Navalny, especially after the poisoning incident that had occurred. Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock’s stance against releasing Krasikov’s killer further complicated the negotiations, as it was seen as sending a negative signal. Despite this, by October 2023, a consensus seemed to have been reached, paving the way for an exchange involving key figures from both sides.
Original source: theins.ru