RUSSIA AND US AGREE ON HISTORIC PRISONER SWAP

Thu 01 August 2024:

Russia and the United States have reportedly agreed on a significant prisoner exchange involving dozens of detainees, one of the most notable swaps between the two countries in recent history.

Two dozen prisoners, including former US Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich, were released Thursday as part of a historic prisoner exchange involving at least seven countries.

Thursday’s enormous swap was the outcome of years of difficult behind-the-scenes discussions between the United States, Russia, Belarus, and Germany, which eventually led Berlin to agree to Moscow’s major demand: the release of convicted Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov.

A total of eight people, including Krasikov, were returned to Russia in exchange for the release of 16 people held in Russian custody, including four Americans.

In addition to Whelan and Gershkovich, prominent Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is a US permanent resident, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were also freed.

Sergey Markov, director of the Moscow-based Institute of Political Studies and a former adviser to President Vladimir Putin, told Anadolu that this move could have substantial implications, especially in the context of the upcoming US presidential election.

“This is a significant exchange that has been in preparation for quite some time, possibly over a year,” Markov stated.

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Markov mentioned that the individuals involved include “agents,” some of whom have been labeled as “political figures” in Russia. He explained, “The Americans initially resisted acknowledging their political agents, preferring to call them ‘political prisoners.’ However, they were ultimately compelled to admit the truth, so figures such as Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza may also be included.”

The last prisoner exchange between Russia and the US occurred in December 2022, when Moscow released American basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been imprisoned in the US for 12 years.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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