The release of political prisoners in exchange for easing sanctions — according to The Atlantic, this is the initiative proposed by US special envoy John Coale. For prisoners and their families, even the possibility of such talks offers hope. But many questions remain: who might be released, on what terms, and what will happen to everyone else?

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow has not discussed the possible release of political prisoners with the United States in exchange for easing US sanctions, because the Russian authorities deny that political prisoners exist in the country.

An idea discussed by Dmitry Muratov and reported by The Atlantic would link the release of political prisoners in Russia to a possible easing of U.S. sanctions. According to the report, the proposal is still at an early stage.