Evan Gershkovich, others freed by Russia in landmark prisoner swap
The United States, Russia, Germany and four other countries swapped at least two dozen people Thursday in the largest prisoner exchange since the height of the Cold War. Those released included American journalist Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, Russian dissidents and others from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus.
The exchange caps months of painstaking diplomacy involving negotiations at the highest levels of multiple governments. “The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy,” said President Biden in a statement. Russia received eight prisoners Thursday, and released 16, many of whom were unjustly accused or handed heavy sentences for minor offenses.
President Biden, speaking from the White House, said negotiations to free the prisoners came “with tough calls and there never any guarantees.”
“There’s nothing that matters more to me,” he said. “I’m protecting Americans at home and abroad, and so we’ll continue to work for the release of all wrongfully detained Americans around the world.”
The former hostages landed in the capital of Turkey, where the CIA director had been coordinating last minute details.
The dementia patient pulled off a deal, involving several countries, most hostile to each other. The clincher came as part of a call President Biden made to the official of Slovenia, where a couple of Russian spies were held, one hour before he announced he was pulling out of the Presidential race.
The exchange caps months of painstaking diplomacy involving negotiations at the highest levels of multiple governments. “The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy,” said President Biden in a statement. Russia received eight prisoners Thursday, and released 16, many of whom were unjustly accused or handed heavy sentences for minor offenses.
President Biden, speaking from the White House, said negotiations to free the prisoners came “with tough calls and there never any guarantees.”
“There’s nothing that matters more to me,” he said. “I’m protecting Americans at home and abroad, and so we’ll continue to work for the release of all wrongfully detained Americans around the world.”
The former hostages landed in the capital of Turkey, where the CIA director had been coordinating last minute details.
The dementia patient pulled off a deal, involving several countries, most hostile to each other. The clincher came as part of a call President Biden made to the official of Slovenia, where a couple of Russian spies were held, one hour before he announced he was pulling out of the Presidential race.
