Russia 'releases US citizen detained on drug charges' ahead of Ukraine peace talks

18 February 2025, 02:19 | Updated: 18 February 2025, 03:50

Russia has reportedly released a American citizen who had been detained on drug charges, just hours ahead of its talks with the US over Ukraine.

The New York Times said that Kalob Byers Wayne had been released by Russia on Monday, hours before the discussions were set to begin.

The 28-year-old had been arrested at Moscow's Vnukovo airport after flying in from Istanbul on 7 February, on drug smuggling charges after allegedly being caught with cannabis-laced marmalade.

Russian police claimed he had tried to smuggle a "significant amount" of drugs into the country.

Last week, a court in the Russian capital ordered Mr Wayne be held in pre-trial detention for 30 days.

It isn't clear if his release is aimed at easing tensions in the talks between the US and Russia ahead of negotiations.

The US outlet quoted a Kremlin spokesperson who said the Saudi-based talks would aim to improve relations between Moscow and Washington, "so certain events can be viewed in this context".

Beginning on Tuesday, the two countries are set to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

But in doing so, the US has sidelined Kyiv from the discussions, as well as Europe, sparking alarm on the continent.

European leaders have been left scrambling to readjust to their new reality where they cannot rely on the US as much in terms of security and defence under the Trump administration.

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