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Washington, D.C., August 13, 2025 — As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin this Friday in Alaska for high-stakes talks on the war in Ukraine, the family of David Barnes — an American citizen serving the longest prison sentence of any U.S. national currently detained in Russia — is pleading for his case to be included in discussions surrounding a potential prisoner exchange.
Barnes, originally from Alabama and a longtime resident of Texas, has been imprisoned in Moscow since January 2022. He is currently serving a 21.5-year sentence for alleged child abuse involving his two sons — charges that stem from accusations made years earlier by his Russian ex-wife.
🕵️♂️ Disputed Allegations
According to prosecutors in Montgomery County, Texas, the allegations were investigated by local law enforcement after being reported by Barnes’ ex-wife. Authorities concluded there was insufficient evidence to support the claims, and no charges were filed in the United States.
“He’s been suffering. He’s innocent,” said Margaret Aaron, Barnes’ sister, in an interview with ABC News.
🔁 Hope for Diplomatic Resolution
Barnes’ family and legal advocates are hopeful that his case will be raised during the Trump-Putin summit, which marks the first U.S.-Russia bilateral meeting since 2021. The summit is expected to focus primarily on efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine, but observers note that prisoner exchanges have historically featured in such high-level negotiations.
The Biden administration previously secured the release of several Americans detained in Russia through diplomatic channels, including basketball star Brittney Griner and former Marine Trevor Reed. Barnes’ supporters argue that his case merits similar attention, especially given the disputed nature of the charges and the severity of his sentence.
🧭 What’s Next
The summit, scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, is being closely watched by human rights groups and families of Americans detained abroad. While no formal agenda has been released, the White House has indicated that humanitarian issues may be discussed alongside geopolitical matters.
Barnes’ family continues to advocate for his release, urging U.S. officials to prioritize his case and include him in any future prisoner exchange negotiations.
President Trump and Putin Picture by heute
