---
title: "Kremlin says work is underway on next prisoner swap between Russia and US"
description: "MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia and the United States were working on a prisoner swap between the two countries, but that the timing of the exchange was not yet known."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-05-21-kremlin-says-work-is-underway-on-next-prisoner-swap-between-russia-and-us/"
published: "2025-05-21T12:57:39"
updated: "2025-05-21T12:57:40"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 92
---

# Kremlin says work is underway on next prisoner swap between Russia and US

> MOSCOW, May 21 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia and the United States were working on a prisoner swap between the two countries, but that the timing of the exchange was not yet known.

By Reuters · Published 21 May 2025, 14:57 SAST · Updated 21 May 2025, 14:57 SAST

## Key points
- In a diplomatic game of "who's got my people?", Trump and Putin are reportedly on the phone discussing a potential prisoner swap, with each side eyeing nine captives like they’re trading Pokémon cards.
- Trump and Putin held a phone call discussing a potential prisoner exchange involving nine individuals from each country.
- Kremlin spokesman Peskov confirmed that relevant government agencies are in contact regarding the exchange.
- A source revealed that the U.S. has submitted a list of nine Americans imprisoned in Russia for potential return.
- The dialogue reflects ongoing tensions and negotiations between the two nations over detained citizens.

## Content

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a possible prisoner exchange involving nine people from each side during a phone call on Monday.

Asked for an update, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that what he called "the appropriate government agencies" from both sides were in touch with each other on the issue.

A source close to the Kremlin has told Reuters that the U.S. side had previously provided Moscow with a list of nine Americans jailed in Russia that Washington wants returned.

(Reporting by Dmitry AntonovEditing by Andrew Osborn)