Washington – (Reuters):
White House spokeswoman Jane Saki called on Wednesday for the speedy release of Americans detained in Russia, after the two countries agreed to extend the “New START” arms control treaty for a period of five years.
In July, a Russian court sentenced Trevor Reid, a former US Marine, to nine years in prison, after he was found guilty of endangering the lives of two police officers. Another former US Marine named Paul Whelan was convicted in Russia in June of espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Sacchi said in a press conference that the release of the two after Russia and the United States agreed to extend the “New START” treaty, would show that “Russia is ready to overcome the complicated issues in bilateral relations.”