Currents News Staff
American Trevor Reed is a free man once more as the U.S. and Russia agreed to a prisoner swap.
“It’s been almost 1,000 days,” said Paula Reed, the Mother of Trevor Reed, “so I’m just excited to see him.”
Reed’s parents are calling his release an answer to their prayers.
“Finally after waiting all this time,” said Paula, “I’m going to get to hug my kid, wrap my arms around him.”
The Texan had been detained for nearly three years on charges of fighting with Russian police.
“He looks terrible to us,” his mom said. “As his parents, we know he does not look well. He’s very thin. He was walking strange. It looked like he needed help getting on the plane.”
As part of the deal, the U.S. is releasing a Russian pilot sentenced for drug trafficking. But no answers yet for two other Americans who are still under Russian detention – WNBA star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan.
“Our work is not yet finished,” said Ned Price, U.S. State Dept Spokesman. “Of course, we’re going to continue at it.”
In a devastating move, Moscow cut off NATO countries Poland and Bulgaria from its gas supply after they refused to pay in Russian rubles. It’s a move that the EU is calling “blackmail.” Russia is reporting blasts on their territory of three regions bordering Ukraine.
New video evidence contradicts Russia’s repeated denials of responsibility for the mass killings.
“I don’t think Putin cares about being a pariah,” said Garry Kasparov, the Chairman of Renew Democracy Initiative. “It’s about staying in power.”