Pardon Hopes Rise for Laurent Vinatier After Putin Proposal

Brigitte and Alain Vinatier express cautious optimism for their son's release following a diplomatic proposal from Vladimir Putin to France.Laurent Vinatier, a specialist in the post-Soviet space, has been detained in Russia since June 2024 amid escalating tensions with the EU.The development coincides with Orthodox Christmas on January 7, which is a traditional period for presidential pardons in Russia.