Russia became more interested in a prisoner swap with the United States after concerns about a potential Trump presidency. German negotiation team saw an opening due to Russian concerns and desire to wrap up the deal before the U.S. election in November.
Key Points
Russian interest in the prisoner swap heightened by concerns over a potential Trump presidency
German negotiation team led by Philipp Wolff saw an opportunity to finalize the deal before the U.S. election
Trump administration known for prioritizing the release of Americans held abroad
Pros
Potential for successful negotiation and release of prisoners
Avoiding potential escalation of tensions between countries