An American citizen of Russian descent and citizenship – strange since the U.S. Constitution does not provide for dual citizenship except by treaty with individual countries – on whatever grounds but in all likelihood moral ones, opposed the Russian aggression in Ukraine which was totally unprovoked and included the murder of innocent civilians, including kidnapping children.
She contributed a symbolic $51 towards humanitarian aid for Ukraine through an American not-for-profit.
She then decided to visit her grandmother in Yekaterinburg, Russia. She was arrested for treason and sentenced to 12 years. She pled guilty to the charge upon the advice of Russian counsel since only convicted prisoners are swapped. She appealed the sentence but it was upheld.
About one year later through the efforts of Russia’s President Putin and his friend , the American president now sitting in the White House, she was swapped in a prisoner exchange for a Russian-German smuggler of military components from the United States to Russia, essentially a Russian spy. Russia does not have a legitimate legal system but the one it does have seems to work for the state very well, although it has nothing to do with the rule of law.
A few words about the prisoner released by the United States. His name is Arthur Petrov. He is a Russian citizen. On August 9th, 2024 the Associated Press reported:
“Arthur Petrov, 33, made a brief appearance in Manhattan federal court, where he agreed to remain detained. He was arrested last August in Cyprus at the request of the United States and was extradited on Thursday.
“Attorney Michael Arthus, Petrov’s court-appointed lawyer, declined to comment on numerous charges brought against his client, including multiple conspiracy counts and smuggling goods crimes. The charges collectively carry a potential penalty of over 150 years in prison.”
The lack of moral equivalence of the two political prisoners is stark. Nevertheless, the man in the White House is lauded by his supporters for the art of the deal. This is normal in today’s America. America has gone rogue or simply stupid. The man himself becomes even more full of himself, boastful of yet another “perfect” deal.
To have a better understanding of how bizarre this was, some distinction is necessary. The woman was not a political prisoner. She was a kidnapped hostage. America not only negotiates with terrorists and hostage takers, but actively strives to enhance relations with them. This paints a clearer picture.
Obviously, buoyed by his “perfect” deal in this matter, Trump sent his special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet once again with Vladimir Putin, the leader of a terrorist state.
RT (Russia Today) reported on April 11th. 2025: “The discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and White House special envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday involved aspects of the settlement of the Ukraine conflict,’ the Kremlin has announced, declining to provide further details.”
Witkoff visited Russia on Friday and met with Putin in St. Petersburg. The meeting lasted over four hours and the content of the talks has been largely kept under wraps by Moscow and Washington.
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the issue during a press briefing earlier in the day when asked by a reporter about the purpose of Witkoff’s visit to Russia. According to Leavitt, the visit was aimed at facilitating direct US communications with the Kremlin as part of a broader effort to negotiate a ceasefire and eventual peace agreement in the Ukraine conflict.
“The Trump administration faced growing internal divisions this week after Witkoff allegedly proposed a ceasefire plan that would recognise Russian control over four eastern regions claimed by both Moscow and Kiev, Reuters reported on Friday citing anonymous sources. During a White House meeting with President Donald Trump last week, Witkoff argued that recognising Russian ownership of Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson was the swiftest path to halting the war, the outlet’s sources said. General Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, reportedly pushed back, stressing Ukraine would not accept full territorial concessions.”
The meeting reportedly concluded without a decision from Trump, who has repeatedly said he wants to broker a ceasefire by May. Witkoff subsequently travelled to Russia on Friday for talks with Putin.
The episode has deepened rifts within the Trump administration, as officials debate how to resolve the Ukraine conflict, Reuters wrote. Witkoff’s approach, previously outlined in a March interview with Tucker Carlson, has reportedly alarmed both Republican lawmakers and US allies.
‘They’re Russian-speaking,” Witkoff told Carlson of the eastern territories.
‘There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule.”
Several Republicans reportedly contacted National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise concerns about Witkoff’s stance, criticizing him for echoing Russian rhetoric.
Despite criticism, Witkoff retains strong backing from Trump and some administration officials. Waltz praised his efforts, citing his business background and recent diplomatic activity, including securing the release of US citizen Marc Fogel from Russia.
Trump’s personal envoys Witkoff and Kellogg continue to echo Russian rhetoric. These are Trumpian American proposals which could be the basis for another “perfect” deal. In fact they are echoes of Russian diktats.
In the now famous words of the Greenlanders, Make America Go Away (MAGA), Ukraine and the entire democratic world should echo those words. The dealmaker is evil and stupidity incarnate. That’s what makes him so arrogant. During this Easter Holy Week, let us pray, please, God, make Trump and America go away.
