Russia reportedly released American Kalob Byers, accused of marijuana in custody, Trump seeks Ukraine deal, according to reports

Russia released U.S. citizens arrested on drug smuggling charges earlier this month, according to Russian media reports. The move appears to be a ease of tensions between Moscow and Washington Talks held in Saudi Arabia On Tuesday, the focus is expected to be on Ukrainian War and a fragile ceasefire from Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

Kalob Byers, 28, was detained on February 7 at Moscow's Fnukovo Airport after customs officials allegedly found gummy or jam in cannabis in their luggage. What is allegedly food is not clear from Russian media reports.

Byers reportedly traveled from Istanbul with his Russian fiancée, who was also detained. Authorities said he had tried to smuggle “large amounts of drugs” into the country and detained him on drug smuggling charges and could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Meduza, an independent Russian news outlet, reported on Monday that Byers had been released from custody and was at the Moscow embassy in Moscow, where it was waiting for the flight to return home. Byles was released to the embassy later Sunday, a U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press. The official spoke on anonymous because they had no right to discuss sensitive issues.

State Department spokesman declined to comment on the case of CBS News on Monday in the BYERS case, but pointed to long-term guidance on Russian travel, citing the country's “risk of detention of American citizens” and urged any Americans in Russia to leave immediately .”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that Moscow expects Moscow to “discuss the issue of “discussing the entire complex of restoring Russian-American relations.” Talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday“So some events can be viewed in this case.”

However, State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce said in a speech to reporters on Monday that from the perspective of the U.S. government, the dialogue in Riyadh will focus mainly on the Ukrainian war.

It is unclear Monday whether Byles' fiancée has also been released. Russian media reports identified her as Naida Mambetova and said she was sentenced to pre-trial detention for the same charges.

In recent years, as the relationship between Moscow and Washington becomes more common, Russian arrests in Russia have become increasingly common. Some have been released in prisoner communication. most Recents include Marc Fogela Pennsylvania teacher is similar to the charges faced by Byles.

Fogel was detained while traveling to Russia to work in school in 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for having what family and supporters say is medical prescription marijuana. He was released earlier this month and brought back to the United States Alexander VinnikRussian cryptocurrency experts facing allegations of bitcoin fraud in the United States return to Russia.

As tensions between Russia and the United States seem to be slow, the release of Fogel and Byers will appear.

President Trump on Wednesday overturned U.S. three-year policy on Ukraine and Russia, saying he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have Agree to start negotiations End the conflict after a long direct call.