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The United States has pulled off a historic prisoner swap with Russia. Imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan were among nearly 2 dozen people released by Russia in exchange for 8 Russians the US held. It was the biggest prisoner exchange between the two nations since the end of the Cold War.
The release follows years of negotiations with 7 different nations involved. President Biden credited the strong alliances he worked to build during his presidency. Germany played a critical role by agreeing to release convicted Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov.
Who Was Released In The Prisoner Swap?
The two most prominent names released in the prisoner swap were Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. Whelan is a former marine who has been held in Russia for the past 6 years. In 2020 he was convicted on espionage charges, which both he and the US deny. Attempts to get Whelan released have been in the works for years at this point.
Whelan had visited Russia many times before his eventual arrest. The final time was to attend the wedding of a fellow former marine.
Evan Gershkovich had been detained for over a year upon his release. He too was sentenced to 16 years for espionage. His employer, the Wall Street Journal, called his trial a sham. Gershkovich was the first US reporter detained in Russia for spying since the Cold War
US officials believe Gershkovich was detained in anticipation of a potential prisoner swap. Arresting a journalist was a high-profile event, and his detention put a lot of pressure on American negotiators to get the job done.
Political Implications Of The Release
The prisoner swap is a huge win for the Biden administration. It adds to the momentum the Harris campaign has built over the past few weeks. It will likely become a talking point on the campaign trail.
Former President Donald Trump has previously said he would get the prisoners released without giving up anything. When asked about this at a press conference yesterday, President Biden responded by asking why Trump didn’t do it when he was president.
The prisoner release could have implications for the war in Ukraine as well. A huge diplomatic victory for both the US and Russia could help simmer down tensions, possibly opening the door to ceasefire and peace talks.