In a surprising move, the Kremlin announced on Thursday that it had reached out to French authorities regarding the fate of French political scholar Laurent Vinatier, who is serving a three-year sentence in Russia and now faces new espionage accusations.
Kremlin’s Offer to France
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia had made “an offer to the French” concerning Vinatier. He added that “the ball is now in France’s court,” but declined to disclose details, citing the sensitivity of the matter. The statement came after journalist Jérôme Garro of French TF1 asked President Vladimir Putin during his annual news conference on Dec. 19 whether Vinatier’s family could hope for a presidential pardon or release in a prisoner exchange. Putin replied that he knew “nothing” about the case, but promised to look into it.
Vinatier’s Arrest and Charges
Vinatier was detained in Moscow in June 2024. Russian authorities accused him of failing to register as a “foreign agent” while collecting information on Russia’s “military and military-technical activities” that could be used to the detriment of national security. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. His arrest followed heightened tensions between Moscow and Paris after French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the possibility of deploying French troops in Ukraine.
French Reaction and Legal Criticism
Vinatier’s lawyers had asked the court to sentence him to a fine, but a judge in October 2024 handed him a three-year prison term. The French Foreign Ministry described the sentence as “extremely severe” and called for the scholar’s immediate release. In addition to criticizing the sentence, the ministry urged the abolition of Russia’s foreign-agent laws, arguing that they contribute to a systematic violation of fundamental freedoms in Russia, such as the freedom of association, opinion, and expression.
The Role of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
Vinatier is an adviser for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Switzerland-based non-governmental organization. In June 2024 the NGO said it was doing “everything possible to assist” him. While asking for clemency ahead of the verdict, Vinatier highlighted his two children and his elderly parents whom he must care for.
Broader Context of Detentions
Detentions on charges of spying and collecting sensitive data have become increasingly frequent in Russia’s heavily politicized legal system since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Human rights activists have criticized the foreign-agent law and other recent legislation as part of a Kremlin crackdown on independent media and political activists aimed at stifling criticism of the war in Ukraine.
Espionage Charges and Prisoner Swaps
In August 2025, Russian state news agency Tass reported that Vinatier was also charged with espionage, citing court records but giving no details. Those convicted of espionage in Russia face between ten and twenty years in prison. Russia has a history of arresting foreigners-mainly U.S. citizens-on various criminal charges and then releasing them in prisoner swaps with the United States and other Western nations. The largest exchange since the Cold War occurred in August 2024, when Moscow freed journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, fellow American Paul Whelan, and Russian dissidents in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free.
Key Takeaways
- The Kremlin has offered France a deal regarding scholar Laurent Vinatier, who now faces espionage charges after a three-year Russian sentence.
- French officials have described the sentence as “extremely severe” and called for the abolition of Russia’s foreign-agent laws.
- Russia’s recent practice of detaining foreigners and engaging in prisoner swaps highlights a broader pattern of legal pressure and diplomatic negotiations.
The situation remains fluid, with the Kremlin’s offer and France’s response continuing to unfold against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
