Actress Odessa Rae’s Bold Effort to Free Navalny: A Backchannel Revealed

MONACO, Monaco — In a surprising twist to international diplomacy, actress and filmmaker Odessa Rae recently engaged in clandestine discussions to secure the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny from prison.

During a sunlit drive along the Côte d’Azur, Rae met with Stanislav Petlinsky, a self-proclaimed “security consultant” with ties to the Kremlin, in July 2023. The meeting followed a sumptuous dinner, yet Rae expressed concerns about revealing her intentions, fearing potential abduction.

Rae’s Oscar-winning documentary on Navalny, who has become a global symbol of resistance against Vladimir Putin‘s regime, chronicled the activist’s perilous journey, which included arrests and a near-fatal poisoning. Currently, Navalny is serving time in solitary confinement at a penal colony in Russia.

Back in Manhattan, Rae pitched a bold idea: Could Navalny’s release hinge on a prisoner exchange involving Vadim Krasikov, a hitman serving life in Germany for a Kremlin-related murder? Petlinsky was intrigued and agreed to present the proposal to Putin.

While Rae’s approach was audacious, it unfolded against a backdrop of complicated negotiations involving the Biden administration, which was also struggling to secure the release of American citizens wrongly imprisoned in Russia, including former Marine Paul Whelan and journalist Evan Gershkovich.

The U.S. government faced significant challenges, including concerns over compromising relationships with allies like Germany, which would need to facilitate Krasikov’s release. Critics argue that the administration’s slow response may have cost Navalny his life, as he died in early 2024 in custody.

The complexities of international diplomacy became further evident when tech titans, journalists, and former officials combined efforts to push for Navalny’s freedom. Notably, Wall Street Journal executives involved themselves in advocacy, heightening pressure on government officials.

The situation ultimately led to a tragic ending, as Navalny died in a harsh prison environment, igniting debates on whether more could have been done to save him and if Rae’s initial discussions represented a missed opportunity for change.

As negotiations evolved, Rae found herself at the center of a story that revealed the intricate interplay between celebrity diplomacy and high-stakes international relations. While she and others sought solutions, the complex dynamics of power, secrecy, and timing left many questions unanswered.