Muratov urges Witkoff to seek release of Russian political prisoners

September 21, 2026 at 09:50 AM2 min

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Novaya Gazeta co-founder Dmitry Muratov called on US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to raise the release of Russian political prisoners in talks with Vladimir Putin. He made the appeal on CNN on September 19, citing Belarus's release of 25 prisoners after US envoy John Cole's meeting with Alexander Lukashenko. Muratov said Witkoff's plane returns from Moscow empty and could carry freed prisoners.

Key Facts

Dmitry Muratov, co-founder of Novaya Gazeta, made the appeal on CNN on September 19.
Belarus released 25 political prisoners on September 16 after US envoy John Cole met with Alexander Lukashenko.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner last met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on September 5.
Witkoff has visited Moscow eight times to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

Muratov's Appeal

Dmitry Muratov, co-founder and former editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, addressed US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner. He urged them to raise the release of Russian political prisoners in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Nobel laureate made the proposal on CNN on September 19. Muratov argued that respect for human rights and the risk of a large-scale international conflict are directly linked.

Belarus Precedent

Muratov cited US special envoy John Cole's negotiations with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko as an example. After Cole's meeting on September 16, Belarus released another 25 political prisoners from its colonies. In exchange, the US lifted sanctions on two Belarusian enterprises. Muratov believes similar prisoner-release negotiations can be conducted with Russia.

Witkoff's Moscow Visits

Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner last met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on September 5. This was Witkoff's eighth visit to Moscow to discuss possibilities for ending the war in Ukraine. The next day, the American representatives traveled by train through Poland to Kyiv and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They later returned to the US via Poland.