A former US Marine, who was once jailed in Russia, has been injured fighting for Ukraine, the US State Department said on Tuesday (July 25). The former Marine, Trevor Reed was released by Russia in a prison swap in April 2022 and was sent to Germany for treatment when he was injured fighting for Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said.

A former US Marine, who was once jailed in Russia, has been injured fighting for Ukraine, the US State Department said on Tuesday (July 25). The former Marine, Trevor Reed was released by Russia in a prison swap in April 2022 and was sent to Germany for treatment when he was injured fighting for Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said. Patel added that Reed was transported to Germany with the help of a private, non-governmental organisation and was receiving medical care. The nature of the injuries is not yet known. Speaking to the news agency Associated Press, two US officials said that the former Marine was taken to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a level II trauma care centre located near Ramstein Air Base. 'Reed travelled to Ukraine to fight on his own' On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Patel also said that Trevor Reed was not engaged in any activities on behalf of the US government and had travelled to Ukraine to fight on his own. “As I indicated, we have been incredibly clear warning American citizens, American nationals, not to travel to Ukraine, let alone participate in fighting,” Patel said. “As you know, we are not in a place to provide assistance to evacuate private US citizens from Ukraine, including those Americans who may decide to travel to Ukraine to participate in fighting,” he added. The 2019 arrest Reed, a Texas University graduate, was arrested in 2019 for assault on law enforcement officers after getting drunk and was sentenced to nine years in prison. However, in April 2022, Russia released him after the US negotiated an exchange for Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot and alleged drug smuggler who was sentenced to 20 years in prison by an American court. While in custody, the former Marine said that he was coughing up blood and had also staged a hunger strike to protest the conditions under which he was held. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he did not expect Reed's case to have an impact on US efforts to bring home two Americans held in Russia - journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan. "My expectation is that even as we are dealing with all sorts of other challenges in our relationship with Russia, we will and we are determined to continue to work to bring both Evan and Paul home," Blinken said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former US Marine, who was released from Russian prison, injured fighting for Ukraine

Russia and the United States swapped prisoners on Wednesday (April 27) after a lengthy negotiation process as per Moscow's foreign ministry.

According to Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, a former US Marine Trevor Reed, who had been held in a Russian jail, has been&nbsp;swapped for Russian citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko.

Previously, an American court had sentenced Yaroshenko to 20 years in prison for smuggling while Reed was jailed in Russia for assaulting two policers.

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In July 2020, Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison for swerving the police car in which he was being driven to a Russian police station.

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💬 Russian MFA Spokesperson Maria <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Zakharova?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Zakharova</a>: On April 27, 2022, as a result of a lengthy negotiation process US national Trevor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reed</a>, convicted in Russia, was exchanged for Konstantin <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yaroshenko?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Yaroshenko</a>, a Russian citizen, who was sentenced by the US court for 20 years in prison. <a href="https://t.co/FTfVZrSFec">pic.twitter.com/FTfVZrSFec</a>
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1519287301058224128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Welcoming the move US President Joe Biden said, "Today, we welcome home Trevor Reed and celebrate his return to the family that missed him dearly. Trevor, a former US Marine, is free from Russian detention."

Calling the prisoner exchange a ''difficult decision'', Biden added &nbsp;"His safe return is a testament to the priority my Administration places on bringing home Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/slew-of-disputes-between-former-cold-war-adversaries-us-and-russia-443661">Also see |&nbsp;Slew of disputes between former Cold War adversaries US and Russia</a>

Joey and Paula Reed, who are Trevor's parents, had been pressing the Biden administration to help their son.

After Reed's return was confirmed, his parents said "our family has been living a nightmare."

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Reed was escorted onto a plane at Moscow's Vnukovo airport by men in military uniform while he was dressed all in black and carrying a large bag as per images released by the Russian state TV.

Ties between Washington and Moscow have deteriorated after Russia invaded Ukraine despite receiving several warnings against it from the US.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia and the United States swapped prisoners on Wednesday (April 27) after a lengthy negotiation process as per Moscow's foreign ministry. According to Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, a former US Marine Trevor Reed, who had been held in a Russian jail, has been swapped for Russian citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko.

Russia and the United States swapped prisoners on Wednesday (April 27) after a lengthy negotiation process as per Moscow's foreign ministry. According to Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, a former US Marine Trevor Reed, who had been held in a Russian jail, has been swapped for Russian citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko. Previously, an American court had sentenced Yaroshenko to 20 years in prison for smuggling while Reed was jailed in Russia for assaulting two policers. In July 2020, Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison for swerving the police car in which he was being driven to a Russian police station. 💬 Russian MFA Spokesperson Maria #Zakharova: On April 27, 2022, as a result of a lengthy negotiation process US national Trevor #Reed, convicted in Russia, was exchanged for Konstantin #Yaroshenko, a Russian citizen, who was sentenced by the US court for 20 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/FTfVZrSFec — MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) April 27, 2022 × Welcoming the move US President Joe Biden said, "Today, we welcome home Trevor Reed and celebrate his return to the family that missed him dearly. Trevor, a former US Marine, is free from Russian detention." Calling the prisoner exchange a ''difficult decision'', Biden added "His safe return is a testament to the priority my Administration places on bringing home Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained abroad." Also see | Slew of disputes between former Cold War adversaries US and Russia Joey and Paula Reed, who are Trevor's parents, had been pressing the Biden administration to help their son. After Reed's return was confirmed, his parents said "our family has been living a nightmare." Watch WION's live TV here: Reed was escorted onto a plane at Moscow's Vnukovo airport by men in military uniform while he was dressed all in black and carrying a large bag as per images released by the Russian state TV. Ties between Washington and Moscow have deteriorated after Russia invaded Ukraine despite receiving several warnings against it from the US. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia, United States swap prisoners, Biden calls it 'difficult decision'

President Vladimir Putin has renewed an offer to swap prisoners as he is holding his first summit Wednesday with Joe Biden, who has come under growing pressure to win the release of Americans from Russian jails.

Biden, who has vowed a clear-eyed, tougher approach with Putin than his predecessors at the start of their terms, has already made clear that he will raise the fate of jailed Americans when he meets the Russian leader in Geneva.

Here are some of the individuals who could be freed if such a swap was agreed upon.

PAUL WHELAN, 51

Washington has demanded the release of Paul Whelan, a former US&nbsp;Marine convicted of espionage last June and sentenced to 16 years in jail. Whelan has denied spying and says he was set up in a sting operation.

Moscow said that Whelan, who holds US, British, Canadian, and Irish passports, had been caught red-handed with classified information in a Moscow hotel room where agents from the Federal Security Service detained him on Dec. 28, 2018.

Whelan said he was in Russia for a wedding and on holiday and set up by a Russian man he thought was a friend.

Whelan, who is being held in a high-security prison eight hours drive from Moscow, denounced the proceedings against him last June as a "sham trial". Russia has sent mixed signals as to whether it would be ready to free him in a deal.

TREVOR REED, 29

The United States has criticised the trial of Trevor Reed, another former US&nbsp;Marine jailed for nine years last July, as the "theater of the absurd" and lacking serious evidence.

Russia convicted Reed, a student at the University of North Texas, of endangering the lives of two police officers who had detained him in August 2019 when he grabbed an officer who was behind the wheel of a car, causing the vehicle to swerve dangerously.

Reed said he could not remember the events because he was drunk when detained after leaving a party in Moscow, but denied the charge in court after hearing what he said was the flimsy evidence presented during the trial and the investigation's failure to obtain video evidence that could prove his innocence.

In comments which upset his family, Putin, in an NBC interview before the summit, described Reed as "a drunk" and "a troublemaker."

"As they say here, he got himself shitfaced and started a fight. Among other things, he hit a cop," said Putin.

VIKTOR BOUT, 54

The United States is holding Viktor Bout, a Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year prison sentence for plotting to sell missiles to people he thought were Colombian rebels.

Bout, subject of a book called “Merchant of Death” and inspiration for a film “Lord of War” starring Nicolas Cage, was arrested in Thailand in 2008.

US&nbsp;authorities said he had agreed to sell arms to US&nbsp;undercover agents posing as Colombian guerrillas planning to attack American soldiers.

Bout, who protested his innocence, was convicted in 2011 and Russia has long sought his release.

He is now in a prison in Marion, Illinois, and only eligible for release in January 2030.

KONSTANTIN YAROSHENKO, 52

Russia has long urged Washington to release pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving 20 years in the United States for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the country. He was arrested in Liberia in 2010 in a DEA sting operation and flown to the United States.

Moscow has portrayed Yaroshenko, who says he is innocent, as the victim of an illegal kidnapping by Washington.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in 2019 called for Yaroshenko to be freed in exchange for "an American or Americans who are serving their sentence here."

Putin, in his pre-summit NBC interview, mentioned Yaroshenko.

"Our pilot Yaroshenko has been in prison in the US&nbsp;for ... I don't know how many years,&nbsp;15, maybe&nbsp;20&nbsp;years. And there also the problem seems to be a common crime. If the US&nbsp;side is prepared to discuss it, so are we."

(With inputs from agencies)

President Vladimir Putin has renewed an offer to swap prisoners as he is holding his first summit Wednesday with Joe Biden, who has come under growing pressure to win the release of Americans from Russian jails.

President Vladimir Putin has renewed an offer to swap prisoners as he is holding his first summit Wednesday with Joe Biden, who has come under growing pressure to win the release of Americans from Russian jails. Biden, who has vowed a clear-eyed, tougher approach with Putin than his predecessors at the start of their terms, has already made clear that he will raise the fate of jailed Americans when he meets the Russian leader in Geneva. Here are some of the individuals who could be freed if such a swap was agreed upon. PAUL WHELAN, 51 Washington has demanded the release of Paul Whelan, a former US Marine convicted of espionage last June and sentenced to 16 years in jail. Whelan has denied spying and says he was set up in a sting operation. Moscow said that Whelan, who holds US, British, Canadian, and Irish passports, had been caught red-handed with classified information in a Moscow hotel room where agents from the Federal Security Service detained him on Dec. 28, 2018. Whelan said he was in Russia for a wedding and on holiday and set up by a Russian man he thought was a friend. Whelan, who is being held in a high-security prison eight hours drive from Moscow, denounced the proceedings against him last June as a "sham trial". Russia has sent mixed signals as to whether it would be ready to free him in a deal. TREVOR REED, 29 The United States has criticised the trial of Trevor Reed, another former US Marine jailed for nine years last July, as the "theater of the absurd" and lacking serious evidence. Russia convicted Reed, a student at the University of North Texas, of endangering the lives of two police officers who had detained him in August 2019 when he grabbed an officer who was behind the wheel of a car, causing the vehicle to swerve dangerously. Reed said he could not remember the events because he was drunk when detained after leaving a party in Moscow, but denied the charge in court after hearing what he said was the flimsy evidence presented during the trial and the investigation's failure to obtain video evidence that could prove his innocence. In comments which upset his family, Putin, in an NBC interview before the summit, described Reed as "a drunk" and "a troublemaker." "As they say here, he got himself shitfaced and started a fight. Among other things, he hit a cop," said Putin. VIKTOR BOUT, 54 The United States is holding Viktor Bout, a Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year prison sentence for plotting to sell missiles to people he thought were Colombian rebels. Bout, subject of a book called “Merchant of Death” and inspiration for a film “Lord of War” starring Nicolas Cage, was arrested in Thailand in 2008. US authorities said he had agreed to sell arms to US undercover agents posing as Colombian guerrillas planning to attack American soldiers. Bout, who protested his innocence, was convicted in 2011 and Russia has long sought his release. He is now in a prison in Marion, Illinois, and only eligible for release in January 2030. KONSTANTIN YAROSHENKO, 52 Russia has long urged Washington to release pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving 20 years in the United States for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the country. He was arrested in Liberia in 2010 in a DEA sting operation and flown to the United States. Moscow has portrayed Yaroshenko, who says he is innocent, as the victim of an illegal kidnapping by Washington. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in 2019 called for Yaroshenko to be freed in exchange for "an American or Americans who are serving their sentence here." Putin, in his pre-summit NBC interview, mentioned Yaroshenko. "Our pilot Yaroshenko has been in prison in the US for ... I don't know how many years, 15, maybe 20 years. And there also the problem seems to be a common crime. If the US side is prepared to discuss it, so are we." (With inputs from agencies)

These prisoners are likely to walk free if Biden-Putin agree exchange deal

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Former US Marine, who was released from Russian prison, injured fighting for Ukraine

Russia, United States swap prisoners, Biden calls it 'difficult decision'

These prisoners are likely to walk free if Biden-Putin agree exchange deal