Amidst Easing Tensions, French Researcher Laurent Vinatier Returns Home Following Prisoner Exchange

French researcher Laurent Vinatier returned to France on Thursday after a prisoner exchange involving Daniil Kasatkin, a Russian basketball player sought by the United States, according to officials.

The swap occurred as both Moscow and Paris expressed a willingness to reopen dialogue nearly four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Vinatier was freed in exchange for 26-year-old Kasatkin, who was detained in France last June on charges related to hacking in the U.S.

«Our fellow citizen Laurent Vinatier is back home in France,» President Emmanuel Macron stated on X. «I share the relief felt by his family and friends.»

Upon his arrival at a military base near Paris, he reunited with his parents and was welcomed by France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

At the time of his arrest in June 2024, Vinatier, who was employed by a Swiss NGO focused on conflict mediation, was accused by prosecutors of gathering information on Russian military operations.

He was sentenced to three years for not registering as a «foreign agent» and faced additional spying charges that could have resulted in a sentence of up to 20 years.

Last month, the Kremlin proposed a deal to France regarding Vinatier’s release, raising prospects for his freedom.

State media in Russia aired footage of a smiling Vinatier being released from prison, dressed in black and carrying a large duffel bag.

The FSB, Russia’s security service, stated that Vinatier had been «pardoned» by a presidential decree.

A source familiar with the situation noted that Paris had informed Washington about the return of the basketball player to Russia.

Footage from state TV showed Vinatier exiting the prison and later boarding a plane.

In December, the Kremlin indicated that Vladimir Putin had shown a willingness to engage in dialogue with Macron, following the French leader’s call for Europe to reach out to Russia to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

When questioned about the potential for renewed bilateral discussions with Russia, French diplomats refrained from comment on Thursday.

Western nations have long accused Russia of detaining their nationals to leverage their release in exchange for Russian spies and cybercriminals detained in Europe and the U.S.

Kasatkin, who was released in this exchange, was arrested last year at a Paris airport at the request of U.S. authorities.

He stands accused of involvement in a ransomware hacking operation, a charge he denies.

Footage released by the FSB showed Kasatkin arriving in Russia and boarding a minibus.

France’s relationship with Russia has severely deteriorated since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Moscow placing much of the blame for the conflict on Paris and other European capitals.

France, a key supporter of Ukraine, maintains that Russia is solely responsible for the ongoing conflict and could choose to end it.

An expert on Russia and the former Soviet Union, Vinatier has authored over a dozen academic articles and has previously worked for NATO and the European Parliament, according to his resume.

At the time of his arrest, he was affiliated with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Swiss NGO that mediates conflicts outside official diplomatic avenues, particularly concerning Ukraine.

The NGO expressed its joy at the release of their «dear colleague.»

«The friends and colleagues of Laurent are thrilled at his return and stand in solidarity with him and his family during this time,» they stated.

During his trial, Vinatier admitted guilt and requested a lenient sentence, quoting Russia’s national poet, Alexander Pushkin.

A lawyer for Vinatier’s family expressed immense relief at his return, calling it a «wonderful relief.»

«We are extremely pleased that he has been released just in time for Orthodox Christmas,» Frederic Belot, who also represents the basketball player, informed AFP. «This is a significant gesture.»

Orthodox Christians celebrated Orthodox Christmas on January 7.