Information
Russia plans to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan in a prisoner swap with the United States, according to US media citing White House sources. Both men, imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges that they and the US deny, are reportedly being transported out of the country. The Kremlin has not confirmed the exchange, and the US State Department has been actively negotiating their release, along with Russian-UK dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is also expected to be freed.
This potential swap, following rumours and movements of prisoners and planes, is notable as one of the largest East-West exchanges since the Cold War. It comes amid heightened tensions and follows another high-profile swap involving basketball star Britney Griner and arms dealer Viktor Bout. The details of which Russian prisoners will be returned are not yet clear, with four Russians, including alleged cybercriminal Alexander Vinnik, reportedly removed from US prison databases.
Source: AFP, Reuters
So what
Depending on who is getting traded, it is likely the Biden administration will sell this exchange as a “huge win” and possibly even try to put some of the praise on Kamala. It is extremely positive that these two are going to be released as they have spent a long time in Russian custody for no real charge. Though it is interesting to see the timing, it seems likely that the Biden administration has chosen to do this deal at the end of their tenure so as to avoid criticism or let it carry over to the next administration, which begs the question of who is being traded and will it be seen as “a bad deal”.
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