Reflections

The ministries said the success of the mediation efforts was a reflection of the mutual and solid friendship between their two countries and the United States of America and the Russian Federation. They also highlighted the important role played by the leaderships of the two brotherly countries in promoting dialogue between all parties. Saudi UAE joint press rel. 

Together, the United States, Italy, our European Union partners, and partners all over the world like the UK, Japan, Australia, and more, are not allowing Russia’s aggression to stand unanswered. To the contrary, we are doing what we can, collectively, to enable Ukraine to defend itself and defy expectations. Dep. Sec. in Luiss

Non sarà che gli americani ci hanno presi per fessi?

Mi sono letta tutte le biografie delle ultime due ore dal titolo who is Victor Bout. E mi è venuto il sospetto.

Addendum On a personal note 

As the President said this morning, he will — he will never stop working to secure Paul’s release and return home. And he will not give up. On a personal note, Brittney is more than an athlete, more than an Olympi- — Olympian. She is an important role model and inspiration to millions of Americans, particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color. She should never have been detained by Russia. And we are — I am — deeply proud of the work that the President has done, this administration has done to get her home. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, December 8, 2022

Some analysts believe that Mr. Bout has connections to Russia’s intelligence services. Such links have not been publicly confirmed, but they could explain why Mr. Putin — a former K.G.B. officer — has put such stock in working for Mr. Bout’s release. “If he were just some arms dealer and cargo magnate, then it is hard to see why it would have been quite such a priority for the Russian state,” Mark Galeotti, a lecturer on Russia and transnational crime at University College London, said last summer. nytimes

Putin ragiona in modo più semplice ed efficace.

Lo scambio è stato tra un mercante di morte e una icona lgbt. Ovvero tra quel mondo occidentale che pone al centro dei valori un abominio che rappresenta l'obiettivo della guerra in Ucraina, come sentenziato dal patriarca Kirill, e la Russia che combatte una battaglia giusta.

Gli scambi di prigionieri di questo tipo in generale sono un rischio da correre. Se gli americani fossero riusciti a portare a casa Whelan, lo scambio avrebbe avuto un senso in contesto più ampio.