Biggest Prisoner Swap between Russia and US
- Russia and the US conducted the biggest prisoner swap in decades.
- American journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-US Marine Paul Whelan were among the 24 prisoners freed.
- The exchange was coordinated by Turkey and involved multiple countries.
In a significant diplomatic development, Russia has released American journalist Evan Gershkovich, along with over 20 other individuals, in the largest prisoner exchange with the West since the Cold War. The swap, confirmed by the Turkish presidency, also included former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and Russian dissident Ilya Yashin. In return, the U.S., Germany, and other European nations handed over several citizens accused of espionage and murder. Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation played a crucial mediating role, leveraging its strong ties with both Washington and Moscow. The negotiations for Gershkovich's release had been ongoing for months following his arrest in March 2023 on espionage charges, which he and his employer, The Wall Street Journal, have vehemently denied. He was sentenced to 16 years in a closed trial, prompting U.S. President Joe Biden to intensify efforts for his return. The Kremlin's spokesperson emphasized that those released should avoid returning to Russia, while also indicating that the decision to pardon prisoners was aimed at repatriating Russian captives. Among those freed were notable figures such as Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen sentenced to 25 years for opposing the Kremlin, and Oleg Orlov, co-chairman of the Nobel Prize-winning NGO Memorial. The exchange, which involved 24 individuals, marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Russia relations, reflecting ongoing tensions exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. The last major swap occurred in 2010, highlighting the rarity of such agreements in recent years.