Overview
- The Kremlin announced it has presented a proposal to France concerning Laurent Vinatier but released no details of its content.
- President Emmanuel Macron’s office said he is fully mobilized to secure Vinatier’s release as quickly as possible.
- France’s foreign ministry said state services in Paris and Moscow are engaged, the crisis center is in contact with his family, and consular visits continue as permitted.
- Vinatier has been held since June 2024 and received a three-year sentence in October 2024 under Russia’s “foreign agent” law while a separate espionage investigation continues.
- His family and lawyer expressed cautious hope following Moscow’s signal, while warning that an espionage trial reportedly possible on 28 February could carry a sentence of up to 20 years.