It comes after another US citizen, Marc Fogel, was recently released by Russia and welcomed home by US President Donald Trump.
Russia has reportedly released a American citizen who had been detained on drug charges, just hours ahead of its talks with the US over Ukraine.
The US outlet quoted a Kremlin spokesperson who said the Saudi-based talks would aim to improve relations between Moscow and Washington, "so certain events can be viewed in this context".
The New York Times said that Kalob Byers Wayne had been released by Russia on Monday, hours before the discussions were set to begin.
European leaders have been left scrambling to readjust to their new reality where they cannot rely on the US as much in terms of security and defence under the Trump administration.
