US and Russia Complete Largest Prisoner Swap in Post-Soviet History

The United States and Russia have completed their biggest prisoner swap since the end of the Cold War, releasing 24 individuals, including American journalists Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, and Russian dissidents Vladimir Kara-Murza and Oleg Orlov. The multinational deal, finalized on Thursday, involved significant concessions from European allies and marked a rare diplomatic achievement despite strained relations between Washington and Moscow.

The swap included the release of Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with dual US-Russia citizenship, and dissidents Kara-Murza and Orlov, who were imprisoned on charges widely seen as politically motivated. In return, Russia received Vadim Krasikov, a convicted assassin, and two alleged sleeper agents jailed in Slovenia, among others.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greeted the freed Americans at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, hailing the exchange as a diplomatic feat. However, the deal has sparked debate over the US government's approach to prisoner swaps, with some critics arguing that it incentivizes hostage-taking and gives adversaries leverage over the US and its allies.

The swap surpassed a 2010 deal involving 14 people and brings the total number of Americans brought home by the Biden administration to over 70. Despite criticism, the administration has defended the deals, saying they have reduced the number of wrongfully detained Americans even as swaps have increased.