Large-Scale Prisoner Swap Between US and Russia... "A Diplomatic Victory for Biden"

Largest Since the Cold War
Trump Criticizes, "Did They Pay a Price?"

The United States, Russia, and other countries have successfully carried out the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War. This is being seen as a diplomatic victory for U.S. President Joe Biden, who had to withdraw from his re-election bid amid controversies over his age.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 1st (local time) that seven countries, including the U.S. and Russia, participated in the prisoner exchange, resulting in the simultaneous release of 24 detainees. This marks the largest exchange since the Cold War.

The White House also confirmed on the same day that 16 people, including three Americans such as Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges, were released. In return, Western countries including the U.S. repatriated eight Russian nationals. A Turkish intelligence official stated that 24 detainees from the U.S., Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Russia were exchanged at Ankara International Airport, with seven planes deployed for the operation.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

President Biden, who invited the families of the released detainees to the White House that day, said at a press briefing, "Their brutal ordeal is now over, and they are free," describing it as "an immense relief." He added, "This deal was possible because of the power of diplomacy and friendship," and said, "If anyone questions the importance of alliances, alliances are important." This statement is interpreted as a response to former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate who pressured alliances under a U.S.-first policy.

The success of this prisoner exchange is said to have been largely due to Germany's decisive role. President Biden visited Germany in February and appealed for the release of Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz accepted the request after careful consideration. Krasikov was serving a life sentence in a German prison for killing a former Chechen militant in Berlin in 2019.

Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, explained, "Krasikov was central to the deal with Russia," adding, "Thanks to the genuine friendship and respect between President Biden and Chancellor Scholz, a solution was found." Krasikov was especially regarded as a key figure necessary to bring Russia to the negotiating table, to the extent that Russian President Vladimir Putin praised him as a "patriot."

The NYT emphasized, "This exchange, reached through complex behind-the-scenes negotiations, is a diplomatic victory for President Biden," and noted, "President Biden has repeatedly promised to bring all detained Americans home." However, some pointed out that this deal is unlikely to lead to significant improvements in U.S.-Russia relations. President Biden also dismissed the possibility of direct future talks with President Putin, saying, "There is no need to have direct contact with him."

Upon news of the prisoner exchange, former President Trump criticized Biden, expressing suspicion that Biden might have paid Russia for the exchange. On his social media platform Truth Social, he questioned, "Do we have to release murderers, assassins, and thugs?" and stated, "I have brought back many hostages without giving cash or anything to the other side. It would set a bad precedent." In contrast, National Security Advisor Sullivan dismissed these claims, stating that no cash or sanction relief was exchanged as part of the prisoner swap.