The US State Department said the Russian president wanted to get his godfather so he agreed to hand over captured “Azovites” to Ukraine.
Putin agreed to replace “Azov”, despite the objections of the FSB, because he really wanted Medvedchuk back. Writing about it in the Washington Post.
The article says that the Russian Federal Security Service is against the exchange of prisoners on September 21, because they are wary of a negative reaction from the Russian public. However, Putin approved the exchange because he wanted his godfather Viktor Medvedchuk back.
“It is important that Putin decided to exchange his bosom friend and one of his long-term mediators in Ukraine, Medvedchuk, for the heroes of Mariupol. In Ukraine, they were very happy about the return of these brave warriors, and in Moscow they were very indignant,” the publication quoted a senior US State Department official as saying.
Journalists confirmed that Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was the mediator in the negotiations. He spoke closely with the director of the FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, and the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak. Within months, Abramovich flew to Riyadh and Moscow to finalize a deal.
American and Ukrainian officials believe that in this way Abramovich wants to improve his position in the West. The same goal was pursued by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, who wanted to improve his position after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He sent his personal security team and a plane to Russia to pick up the prisoners.
It will be remembered that on September 21, Ukraine freed 215 people from Russian captivity. 200 Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged for Medvedchuk, and five commanders from Azovstal were exchanged for 55 Russian soldiers.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.