Makkah Defence pact aims at regional security not …

WASHINGTON: Former US Marine Robert Gilman has been released by Russian authorities after spending almost four years in detention and has returned to the United States, according to US media reports. Gilman was arrested in Moscow in 2022 following allegations that he assaulted a Russian police officer. He was subsequently convicted and remained in Russian custody for several years. His release was reportedly approved on humanitarian grounds after concerns were raised about his health. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to pardon Gilman, paving the way for his return to the United States. US President Donald Trump welcomed the development and said his administration had worked to secure Gilman’s freedom through direct discussions with the Russian leadership. Trump described the release as a humanitarian decision and said the case had been discussed with Putin. He also indicated that Moscow did not seek the release of a Russian detainee in return for freeing the former US serviceman. The development comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Moscow, with the detention of American citizens in Russia remaining a sensitive issue between the two countries. Gilman’s case had drawn attention in the United States because of the length of his imprisonment and concerns surrounding his health. His release now brings an end to nearly four years of detention in Russia. The former Marine is expected to reunite with his family after returning to the United States. Further details about the circumstances of his release and the pardon were not immediately disclosed. The case highlights the role of diplomatic engagement in resolving individual detention cases between the two countries, particularly at a time when broader US-Russia relations remain strained.

Russia has sharply criticized the European Union after the bloc approved its 21st package of sanctions, saying the new measures will damage European economies more than Russia and further increase tensions between Moscow and Brussels. In a statement released by Russia’s Permanent Mission to the European Union, officials said the approval process for the latest sanctions exposed growing divisions within the EU. According to Moscow, many member states were reluctant to support additional restrictions because of the economic burden they are already facing. Russia claimed the lengthy negotiations reflected increasing concern among European governments over the impact of sanctions on businesses, energy supplies and overall economic growth. The Russian mission accused the European Union of continuing a policy of confrontation despite rising economic challenges across Europe. It said EU leaders were ignoring the financial costs of sanctions while pursuing what Moscow described as a political campaign against Russia. The statement also referred to comments by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, who indicated that further sanctions could be introduced in the future. According to Russia, discussions on new sanctions have become a political ritual aimed at showing unity among EU member states rather than achieving practical results. Moscow argued that the restrictions have failed to weaken Russia in the way European leaders had expected. Instead, it claimed that European citizens and businesses are paying the price through higher energy costs, inflation and slower economic growth. The statement further argued that Europe’s economic difficulties have been intensified by the EU’s decision to reduce imports of Russian energy, continued financial and military support for Ukraine, and instability in global energy markets caused by ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Russian officials also pointed to a recent assessment by the European Central Bank, which highlighted geopolitical conflicts and energy market uncertainty as major risks to the European economy. Moscow said this assessment supports its argument that continued sanctions are creating additional pressure on European countries. Using a road journey as a comparison, the Russian mission said the European Union was following a path that could lead its economy into serious difficulties. It argued that EU policymakers should reconsider their current strategy instead of introducing more restrictions that, in Russia’s view, have produced limited results while increasing costs for Europe. The statement concluded by reaffirming that Russia considers the EU sanctions to be illegal unilateral measures. Moscow warned that any additional restrictions imposed by the European Union would receive what it described as an effective and appropriate response from Russia.