The United States and Russia have conducted a major prisoner exchange, described as the largest in post-Soviet history. In a multinational agreement, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American citizen Paul Whelan were released by Moscow. Unnamed sources indicate that the exchange, which took place in Turkey, involved around two dozen individuals.
U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that the West secured the release of 16 people from Russia, which included five Germans and seven Russian political prisoners. Russia concurrently confirmed that several of its own citizens, who had been convicted of serious crimes in the West, were also released.
Volker Turk, the UN’s human rights chief, expressed his “relief” over the prisoner exchange and emphasized the importance of releasing journalists and human rights activists who are detained without trial. NATO praised the release of political prisoners, who reportedly originated from member countries collaborating closely.
Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, thanked both the country’s President Andrzej Duda and security services for their efforts that contributed to part of the exchange. Biden referred to the exchange as “an achievement of diplomacy and friendship” and acknowledged Washington’s allies for their “courageous decisions.”
On the day of the exchange, the Kremlin expressed hope that those leaving Russia, referred to as “enemies,” would refrain from returning. Former President Dmitry Medvedev noted that “traitors can now eagerly come up with new names and actively disguise themselves under witness protection programs.”
Germany faced particular challenges in securing the release of Vadim Krasikov, a Russian convicted of murder in 2019. However, the government stated that the protection of German citizens and solidarity with the United States were key motivations. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre highlighted the importance of international cooperation in facilitating the exchange.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed strong support for the release of prisoners in Russia, particularly Whelan and dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza. Lammy pointed out that Kara-Murza, a dedicated opponent of Putin’s regime, should never have been imprisoned.
Emma Tucker, editor of the Wall Street Journal, expressed gratitude to the Biden administration for their persistence in bringing Gershkovich home. “We are thankful that he was not sent to a Russian labor camp for a crime he did not commit,” she stated.
Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, considered the release of Russian dissidents as “great happiness.” She emphasized that each released political prisoner is a significant victory and joy.
Amnesty International expressed happiness over the release but noted that this exchange leaves “a bitter aftertaste,” as it could lead to further political arrests and human rights violations by the Russian government. The press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed deep relief over the release of Gershkovich and his colleague, Alsu Kurmasheva, stressing that no journalist should spend even a single day in captivity merely for doing their job.