Why go to all the bother of negotiating and arranging the release of a prisoner from a Siberian penal colony when you can simply snatch someone from a Moscow airport, charge him with drug smuggling, hold him for ten days, and then offer him up as a token of good will toward your best friend in Washington?

That seems to be Vladimir Putin’s way of thinking this week. Because word was received early this morning of the release of one Kalob Wayne Byers, said to be safely tucked away now at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow while awaiting a flight home to the U.S. And all, apparently, out of the goodness of Putin’s heart.

Did anyone even know Byers had been arrested? Possibly . . . though it doesn’t seem to have made the news reports at the time. It appears that he was detained when customs officials allegedly found cannabis-laced marmalade in his baggage — a rather innovative violation that carries a prison sentence of up to seven years. [RFE/RL, February 18, 2025.]

How fortunate for Byers that his arrival in Moscow coincided with the current attempts underway to improve U.S.-Russian relations . . . otherwise known as the renewal of the Trump-Putin bromance of yesteryear. At another time, Byers and his marmalade would have been “toast.”

I suppose we’re meant to take this as a hopeful sign for the future of negotiations concerning Ukraine. But don’t be fooled; it’s nothing more than a “red herring” (and yes, there is a Russian phrase for that) — designed to distract the world from what’s really going on behind the scenes.

And frankly, it stinks.

But — looking at the bright side — at least I didn’t have to add Mr. Byers’ name to my long-term hostage list.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
2/18/25