Details of the largest prisoner swap between the US and Russia in post-Soviet history

Which prisoners were released?

Twenty-four people were released in the prisoner swap, including a group of journalists and dissidents, suspected spies, a computer hacker, a fraudster and a man convicted of murder.

Russia has released 16 people, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan. Both faced lengthy prison terms after being convicted on espionage charges.

Also released by Moscow were Europe-based journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual US-Russian citizen convicted in July of spreading disinformation about the Russian military, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer serving a 25-year prison sentence on treason charges that were believed to be politically motivated.

President Joe Biden speaks about the prisoner exchange at the White House. Photo: AP

Of the eight detainees returned to Russia by the West, the most notorious is Vadim Krasikov, who was convicted in Germany in 2021 for assassinating a former Chechen rebel in a Berlin park two years ago. Russia has also taken back two prisoners accused of espionage in Slovenia, three inmates accused in the US and two each from Norway and Poland.

Breakthrough in US-Russia relations?

That’s unlikely. The U.S. and Russia have struck several prisoner swaps before during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including one in December 2022 when Moscow freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout.

But none of those exchanges have eased tensions between the US and Russia, especially at a time when the crisis in Ukraine continues and the US continues to send significant military support to Kiev.

The prisoner swap was simply a rare compromise for mutual benefit, nothing more. Still, the fact that it was reached amid tensions is remarkable.

Americans remain detained

Although the August 1 deal freed the most prominent American prisoners held in Russia, several others remain.

That group includes Travis Leake, a musician sentenced to prison on drug charges; Gordon Black, an American soldier convicted of theft and threatening to kill; Marc Fogel, a teacher also convicted on drug charges; and Ksenia Khavana, who was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February on treason charges.

A senior Biden administration official said the administration will redouble efforts to bring the remaining Americans home.

Welcome back prisoners

President Joe Biden hailed the exchange as a diplomatic triumph while welcoming the families of the returning Americans back to the White House.

“Dealing with these types of deals comes with tough decisions,” Biden said. “Nothing is more important to me than protecting the American people at home and abroad.”

President Biden has put securing the release of Americans detained overseas at the top of his foreign policy agenda before he leaves office.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin greeted eight returning Russian citizens at Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport with hugs and handshakes, presenting some with bouquets of flowers as they stepped off the plane and onto the red carpet, standing next to a Kremlin honor guard.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a welcoming ceremony for Russian citizens released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries. Photo: Sputnik

Inside the airport building, Mr Putin told the returnees: "First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone on returning to the Motherland... I would like to thank everyone for their loyalty to their oath and their duty to the Motherland, which has never forgotten you even for a minute."

"You will all be awarded state prizes. I will see everyone again, we will talk about your future."

Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Sergei Naryshkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), and Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov were also present at the airport to welcome the group.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chi-tiet-ve-cuoc-trao-doi-tu-nhan-lon-nhat-giua-my-va-nga-trong-lich-su-hau-xo-viet-post305973.html