Russia Makes Proposal to France Over Jailed Researcher Laurent Vinatier

Russia has made a proposal to France regarding Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher jailed for violating Russia’s foreign agent laws, and now it’s up to Paris to respond. Vinatier, who works for a Swiss conflict mediation NGO, was sentenced to three years in jail in 2024 for failing to register as a “foreign agent” and is facing additional espionage charges that could lead to 20 years in prison. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that there were “relevant contacts” between Russia and France, and an offer was made, but he didn’t provide details. French President Emmanuel Macron has denied Vinatier worked for the French state and described his arrest as part of a misinformation campaign by Moscow.