The release of US citizen Robert Gilman may be a step aimed at de-escalation made in the run-up to the upcoming visit to Russia by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US historian and US-Russia relations expert Gilbert Doctorow has told TASS.

“I agree with your suggestion that the release is related to the expected visit to Moscow of Donald Trump's emissaries Steve Witlkoff and Jared Kushner,” he said, adding that the move may be aimed at de-escalation between Russia and NATO.