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HOMECOMING: Democrat secures Russian release of Navy veteran

HOMECOMING: Democrat secures Russian release of Navy veteran

HOMECOMING: Democrat secures Russian release of Navy veteran

American citizen and Navy veteran Taylor Dudley, is returning to U.S. soil after being held in Russia for nine months.

The 35-year-old was detained in April after crossing from Poland into the Russian-controlled region of Kaliningrad.

The successful negotiation of Dudley’s release was helmed by former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D), who has a proven track record of bringing those detained abroad home.

“After six months of intensive work, it’s great to see this release of Taylor Dudley happen,” Richardson told CNN in a phone interview.

“We worked it hard in Moscow and Kaliningrad and first raised it during our meetings with Russian officials on Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed.”

A two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA Champion, Griner was released in December after spending nearly a year in a Russian jail.

Reed was released in the spring of 2022 – while former Marine Whelan remains in a Russian prison due to the nature of his arrest – allegations of espionage.

Dudley’s release was negotiated without an exchange thanks to the work of the Steve Menzies Global Foundation, the United States Embassy – and Gov. Richardson through his non-profit The Richardson Center for Global Engagement.

Richardson played a key role in Reed’s release as well.

Details regarding the reason for Dudley’s detainment are still unknown.

The Lansing, Michigan resident was in Poland for a music festival before crossing the sovereign nation’s border into Kaliningrad, which is located between Poland and Lithuania.

Dudley was released into the custody of Richardson, a member of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and the former governor’s team, CNN reported.

“The Richardson Center worked diligently and quietly for more than 6 months with significant assistance from the Steve Menzies Global Foundation, From Hostage U.S., and from the James Foley Foundation. The family will be forever grateful for the work of all three.” – Jonathan Franks, Spokesperson for the family

Relations between the White House and the Kremlin have been fragile since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Crushing sanctions, U.S. financial and military assistance to the independent nation, and President Joe Biden’s hardline approach to a war that has cost billions and displaced tens of millions have turned an already tenuous relationship with President Vladimir Putin ice cold.

Whelan is just one of many United States citizens wrongfully detained in Russia – though that hasn’t been attributed to Dudley’s case.

“There are many low-profile Americans that deserve freedoms, too,” Gov. Richardson said. “In other words, there are many around the world that don’t have fame but that still deserve America’s backing.”

The former Ambassador to the United Nations and Special Envoy has negotiated the release of American servicemen and hostages in Cuba, North Korea, Iraq, and Sudan.

It’s safe to say Gov. Richardson’s four Nobel Peace Prize nominations were well-earned and deserved.

Original reporting by Natasha Bertrand at CNN.

Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick

 

Ty Ross
News journalist for Occupy Democrats.

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