The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, thanks to its longstanding contacts with Russian intelligence, "played a crucial role" in the prisoner exchange that took place on August 1.
A senior U.S. official told CNN on condition of anonymity.
According to the TV channel, CIA Director Bill Burns, along with other employees of the department, were directly involved in the negotiations on the exchange.
The latest proposal for the exchange was presented to Russian intelligence "in a third country" in late June, where CIA officials were present. In early July, the Russian side informed Burns that it generally agreed to the proposal. In mid-July, it was finally approved.
Author - Olena Madiak, 01/08/2024