Chechen leader says he doesn't want sanctions lifted in exchange for prisoners: it was "trolling"

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has said he was "trolling" when he offered to exchange Ukrainian prisoners of war in return for having sanctions against him and his family lifted.

Source: Kadyrov during a formation ceremony of Chechen security forces

Quote from Kadyrov: "It [the United States – ed.] is only interested in its own interests, so I made the statement to show the true face of American politicians.

Specifically, I am prepared to exchange these 20 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the lifting of sanctions against my dear mother, Aimanі Kadyrova, my daughters, my children under 18, and my wife, Medny Musaievna. All of them have absolutely nothing to do with politics.

Obviously the States won't do that. But it would be interesting to hear their excuses, if they have any.

[Disgraced former American intelligence officer and Kremlin propagandist] Scott Ritter, unlike some people, understood this massive trolling correctly.

As for the sanctions, they don’t interfere with our lives in any way."

Background: 

• In a video published by Russian media, Ramzan Kadyrov offered to release 20 Ukrainian prisoners of war if Western sanctions were lifted from members of his family.
• Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, responded to Kadyrov's offer to release 20 Ukrainian prisoners of war in exchange for the lifting of sanctions against his family members, planes and horses.

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