Whether the Ukraine War Stops or Not, America Has Already Gained This Personal Advantage

A round of talks between Russia and the United States, without Ukraine’s involvement, took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed at discussing the Ukraine war. The goal of the meeting was to talk about a peace agreement regarding the Ukraine issue, and both countries decided to form a team to negotiate a resolution. While it’s still uncertain whether the war will end in three years, one thing is clear: America has already gained a significant benefit from this meeting.

An important meeting took place between Russia and the United States in Saudi Arabia, focusing on discussions about the Russia-Ukraine war. Regardless of the future of this conflict, America had already gained a significant advantage before the meeting. Russia released an American citizen who had been arrested on charges of possessing drugs.

The Release of Caleb Byers

28-year-old Caleb Byers was arrested on February 7 at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport. During a search of his bag, authorities found marmalade candies made from marijuana. Byers was charged with drug trafficking, a crime that could have led to a 10-year prison sentence. However, Russia released him unexpectedly, sending a positive signal. A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy called it a “welcoming step.”

What Happened at the Meeting

In this meeting, Russia and the United States initially took steps to improve their bilateral relations. Both countries agreed to reopen their embassies and recruit staff to prevent tensions from escalating. In fact, after the Ukraine war began in 2022, both countries had withdrawn staff from their embassies, and for nearly three years, their embassies were closed. Furthermore, both nations discussed forming teams to negotiate a peace agreement on the Ukraine issue, with continuous talks moving forward. The United States emphasized that the goal of the meeting was to permanently end the war.

Is There a Softening of U.S.-Russia Relations?

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated that Byers’ release could be seen in the context of the talks held in Saudi Arabia. However, he did not clarify whether this meeting was aimed at improving U.S.-Russia relations or had another purpose.

Before Byers’ release, Russia had also released another American citizen, Mark Fogel. Fogel, a U.S. school teacher, had been sentenced to 14 years but was released after three years. In exchange, the United States had freed a Russian cybercriminal, Alexander Vinnik.

How Many More Americans Are in Russian Prisons?

However, at least 10 American citizens remain imprisoned in Russia. This includes 73-year-old Stephen Hubbard, who was sentenced to seven years for allegedly participating in the fighting in Ukraine. His family claims he never held a weapon. Similarly, a Russian-American citizen, Ksenia Karelin, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for donating just $50 to an American organization that helps Ukraine.

When Will the Russia-Ukraine War End?

The question of when the Russia-Ukraine war will end remains unanswered. However, in the meantime, the U.S. has certainly scored a diplomatic victory by securing the release of one of its citizens. The reasons behind Russia’s “generosity” are unclear, but it is certain that America has already benefited from this meeting.