WASHINGTON. The United States and Russia completed their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, resulting in the return of journalist Evan Gershkovich and corporate security executive Paul Whelan, among others. The deal, which also saw the release of dissidents including Vladimir Kara-Murza, involved the exchange of 24 individuals and marked a significant diplomatic achievement despite strained relations between the two nations.
Gershkovich, Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, arrived in the U.S. just before midnight for a heartfelt reunion with their families. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were present at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to welcome them and offer their support.
The swap comes at a time of heightened tension between Washington and Moscow, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Although initial discussions considered including Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in February, the final agreement focused on releasing a mix of journalists, political prisoners, and suspected spies.
President Biden praised the exchange as a significant diplomatic success and emphasized the importance of protecting American citizens. “Deals like this one come with tough calls,” Biden said. “There’s nothing that matters more to me than protecting Americans at home and abroad.”
Under the terms of the deal, Russia released Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who had been imprisoned on espionage charges since March 2023. Gershkovich’s family expressed their joy in a statement: “We can’t wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close.” The paper’s editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, celebrated the news, calling it a “joyous day” and expressing gratitude for the support received during Gershkovich’s detention.
Whelan, who had been held in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges, and Kurmasheva, convicted in July of spreading false information about the Russian military, were also released. The three returned to Texas for medical evaluations and to reunite with their families. They are eligible for treatment offered by the military for wrongfully detained Americans.
The deal also included the release of several high-profile dissidents such as Kara-Murza, who was serving a 25-year sentence on politically motivated treason charges, and several associates of Alexei Navalny. Russia received Vadim Krasikov, convicted in Germany for murder, along with other prisoners from Germany, Slovenia, Norway, and Poland.
Biden’s administration has prioritized the release of wrongfully detained Americans, bringing home over 70 individuals in recent years through similar deals. Despite the positive outcome, these exchanges have faced criticism for potentially incentivizing future hostage-taking and granting adversaries leverage.
Top U.S. hostage negotiator Roger Carstens defended the deals, noting a decrease in the number of wrongfully detained Americans despite the increased frequency of swaps. The Wall Street Journal’s Tucker acknowledged the ongoing debate and called for measures to prevent future wrongful detentions.
The prisoner swap on Thursday surpassed a previous notable exchange in 2010 involving 14 people. The recent deal, which involved the rapid resolution of Gershkovich’s trial and the movement of other imprisoned individuals, underscores the complex and often secretive nature of international negotiations.
Gershkovich, who was arrested while reporting in Yekaterinburg, and Whelan, detained while attending a wedding in Russia, both faced charges they and their supporters deny. Their return, marked by emotional reunions and symbolic gestures such as Biden gifting Whelan his flag pin, highlights the ongoing efforts to address wrongful detentions globally.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
