Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he has met with the accused Russian spies swapped in an exchange with the United States earlier this month, adding that he expected them to have a bright future in Russia.
Putin made his remarks to reporters during a visit to Ukraine.
"They will work," Putin said when asked about the future of the agents, according to Reuters. "I'm sure they'll have respectable jobs, and I don't doubt they'll lead bright, interesting lives."
The 10 Russian suspects pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to being unregistered agents of a foreign government, a lesser charge than spying, and were ordered to leave the country immediately.
They were swapped on a tarmac in Vienna for four Russians prisoners accused of spying for the West.
compiled from agency reports
Putin made his remarks to reporters during a visit to Ukraine.
"They will work," Putin said when asked about the future of the agents, according to Reuters. "I'm sure they'll have respectable jobs, and I don't doubt they'll lead bright, interesting lives."
The 10 Russian suspects pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to being unregistered agents of a foreign government, a lesser charge than spying, and were ordered to leave the country immediately.
They were swapped on a tarmac in Vienna for four Russians prisoners accused of spying for the West.
compiled from agency reports
