01:28Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for his assistance in the latest prisoner exchange between Moscow and the West, while speaking at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday.
"At the first stage the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia [Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud] took an active part in this process, for which we are also grateful to him, because as it resulted in the eventual return of our citizens to their homeland. And the President of Turkey, Mr Erdogan, has provided the Turkish platform for the final resolution of these issues, as well as some other countries from both the Arab world and some other states here [that] have shown goodwill," he said.
The major prisoner exchange between Russia and five Western countries last month saw the return of 26 detainees to their home nations. They included journalist Evan Gershkovich, former marine Paul Whelan and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza.
It marked the most significant prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War. It included 16 held in Russia and 10, including two minors, freed from across the US, Norway, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia.
We are grateful to Saudi Crown Prince for help in return of our citizens - Putin on major prisoner swap with US
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for his assistance in the latest prisoner exchange between Moscow and the West, while speaking at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday.
"At the first stage the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia [Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud] took an active part in this process, for which we are also grateful to him, because as it resulted in the eventual return of our citizens to their homeland. And the President of Turkey, Mr Erdogan, has provided the Turkish platform for the final resolution of these issues, as well as some other countries from both the Arab world and some other states here [that] have shown goodwill," he said.
The major prisoner exchange between Russia and five Western countries last month saw the return of 26 detainees to their home nations. They included journalist Evan Gershkovich, former marine Paul Whelan and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza.
It marked the most significant prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War. It included 16 held in Russia and 10, including two minors, freed from across the US, Norway, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for his assistance in the latest prisoner exchange between Moscow and the West, while speaking at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday.
"At the first stage the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia [Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud] took an active part in this process, for which we are also grateful to him, because as it resulted in the eventual return of our citizens to their homeland. And the President of Turkey, Mr Erdogan, has provided the Turkish platform for the final resolution of these issues, as well as some other countries from both the Arab world and some other states here [that] have shown goodwill," he said.
The major prisoner exchange between Russia and five Western countries last month saw the return of 26 detainees to their home nations. They included journalist Evan Gershkovich, former marine Paul Whelan and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza.
It marked the most significant prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War. It included 16 held in Russia and 10, including two minors, freed from across the US, Norway, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia.