Three Americans return to the US after a landmark prisoner deal with Russia, marking a significant diplomatic achievement.
Just before midnight, the plane transporting Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva – a dual U.S.-Russia citizen who works as a journalist – touched down in the United States to bring them back into their families’ embrace.
Upon arrival, they were welcomed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Thursday, a historic prisoner exchange was conducted by the United States and Russia in post-Soviet history.
Gershkovich, the journalist who had been imprisoned by Moscow on charges of espionage in July 2023 – a claim that he and the U.S. government vehemently denied – has now been released.
In a statement issued by the newspaper, his family conveyed their enthusiasm for welcoming him and witnessing his brave smile in person.
“It’s a joyous occasion,” exclaimed Emma Tucker, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief.
Whelan, a corporate security executive in Michigan who has been imprisoned since 2018, is facing espionage charges that both he and Washington have denied. Similarly, Kurmasheva was found guilty of spreading false information about the Russian military as a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in July; however, her family and employer have rejected these accusations.
Several of Navalny’s associates were released, including Kara-Murza – a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and Kremlin critic who was sentenced to 25 years on charges of politically motivated treason.
Oleg Orlov, a veteran human rights activist who was convicted of discrediting the Russian military, and Ilya Yashin, imprisoned for voicing opposition to the conflict in Ukraine, were among those released.
A multinational agreement led to the release of two dozen individuals, who were all freed as a result.
With families of the returning Americans in attendance at the White House, Biden hailed a large-scale exchange with Russia – surpassing previous swaps between both nations – as an impressive diplomatic accomplishment.
“Tough decisions come with deals like this,” stated Biden. He further expressed, “My top priority is to safeguard Americans both within and beyond the borders.”
Nonetheless, the accord underscored a fundamental inequality as its predecessors did: The US and its allies relinquished Russian nationals accused or convicted of serious crimes, while Russia released journalists, dissidents and other individuals who were detained by the country’s contentious legal system based on supposedly fraudulent accusations in Western eyes.
Despite the deteriorated relationship between Washington and Moscow as a result of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, an exchange still took place.
The backchannel negotiators had originally contemplated exchanging Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, however, following his demise in February. They eventually reached an agreement involving 24 individuals that necessitated significant concessions from European partners.
Negotiators were in the midst of clandestine talks discussing an exchange concerning Russian dissident, Alexei Navalny when he passed away in February. Consequently, they resolved a convoluted arrangement centered around 24 people that necessitated significant concessions from European counterparts.
As a result of this agreement, a notorious murderer from Russia was set free while several journalists, suspected agents and dissenters were also granted their freedom.
Discussions about a potential exchange with Krasikov were initiated when Navalny died.
Once the possibility was dismissed, prominent U.S. officials such as national security adviser Jake Sullivan heightened their efforts to convince Germany to release Krasikov.
In the end, certain individuals released by Russia were either citizens of Germany or possessed both German and Russian citizenship.
Two alleged sleeper agents were apprehended by Russia in Slovenia, along with three individuals indicted by U.S. federal authorities.
Among its members are Roman Seleznev, a felonious cybercriminal and the offspring of a Russian politician, and Vadim Konoshchenok who is believed to be an agent for Russian intelligence. He has been accused of furnishing American electronics and weaponry to the country’s military forces.
An academic suspected of spying for Russia was repatriated by Norway, and a man detained on espionage charges was returned by Poland.
Biden emphasized the significance of having allies in today’s world.
