Russia and the West in biggest ever exchange of prisoners

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 02 Aug 2024 by Alex Teddy
On August 1, 8 Russians and 16 Westerners were released. Russia released German, US, British and Russian prisoners. They traveled home via Turkey. Russians were set free by the US, Norway, Germany, Poland and Slovenia. The Russians who were in jail in Western countries were convicted or facing trial for espionage. The West's receiving 16 prisoners for the price of 8 seems like a victory. For the first time Western nations have negotiated to win the release of people who are solely Russian citizens and not people who are non-Russians or even dual citizens. The most controversial release is that of Vadim Krasikov, who was serving a life sentence in Germany for the murder of a Georgian citizen whom Russia considered a terrorist.  Krasikov was alluded to by Putin in his March 2024 interview with Tucker Carlson. Putin met Krasikov when he flew into Moscow. This underscores how vital Putin considers the release of intelligence officers who assassinate enemies abroad. Putin wants his men to know that if they are caught Russia will ensure their release. That way people will be more likely to volunteer for dangerous missions.  Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter, was among those set free. Paul Whelan was also set at liberty. Whelan had been in jail in Russia since 2018.  Vladimir Kara-Murzu is a joint British and Russian citizen serving 25 years for for political offenses. He has been returned to the UK.  It is speculated that Western nations had hoped to secure the release of Alexei Navalny. He died in February 2024. That stalled negotiations. The Russian demand that Krasikov had to be part of any deal also stymied talks. Negotiations were secret but inevitably ...

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