Trevor Reed, a former U.S. Marine who previously served more than two years in a Russian prison, was wounded while fighting in Ukraine, the State Department confirmed.
Reid was released from Moscow custody as part of a prisoner exchange in April 2022 and chose to travel independently to Ukraine to join the fight.
The State Department emphasized that Reed was not acting on behalf of the US government during his involvement in the conflict. However, he is inexplicably injured and has been flown to Germany for medical treatment with the support of a private, non-governmental organization.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken warned US citizens not to travel to Ukraine and avoid involvement in the ongoing hostilities. “This underscores why we continue to call on Americans not to travel to Ukraine and not to go to war there,” Blanken said during a news conference in Tonga.
Despite Reid’s situation, Blanken remains committed to efforts to repatriate two other Americans imprisoned in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Grishkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whalen.
The circumstances surrounding Reid’s injury have raised concerns about the involvement of foreign volunteers in the conflict. White House Press Secretary Karen Jean-Pierre emphasized the government’s clear warnings against traveling to Ukraine and participating in hostilities. “We have been extraordinarily, extraordinarily clear telling people not to travel to Ukraine, not to participate in the fighting,” he said.
When asked about the potential impact of Reid’s case on the release of other Americans held in Russia, Jean-Pierre emphasized that the situations are separate and not directly related.
Trevor Reed’s journey has been marked by remarkable twists and turns, from being a university student to a prisoner in Russia and now a volunteer in the Ukrainian independence struggle. However, his injuries highlight the dangers faced by those who choose to join the conflict themselves.
While the US government remains committed to securing the release of detained Americans, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers involved in such efforts.
