The Impressive TimesAnkara, August 2, 2024: In a historic move, the US and several Western countries conducted a major prisoner swap with Russia in Turkey on Thursday. This swap, mediated by Turkey’s MIT intelligence service, involved the release of 26 prisoners, including individuals from the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Belarus, and Russia.
Prominent among the released were Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan, both held in Russia on espionage charges, as well as Alsu Kurmasheva. US President Joe Biden praised the deal as “a feat of diplomacy” and spoke with the released Americans shortly after their release.
“This deal marks the end of their unimaginable suffering and uncertainty,” Biden said. He also commended the countries involved, stating, “Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey made bold and brave decisions.”
The Turkish presidency detailed the logistics, noting that the exchange occurred at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport. The swap saw 10 prisoners, including two minors, moved to Russia, 13 to Germany, and three to the US. The released individuals underwent health checks and other necessary procedures before boarding flights to their respective destinations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Gershkovich, Whelan, and several Russian dissidents as part of the exchange. Russia’s FSB confirmed the return of eight Russians detained in NATO countries. The Kremlin expressed gratitude to the unnamed leaders who facilitated the swap.
Among those freed were Russian detainees Alexander Vinnik, Maxim Marchenko, Vadim Konoshchenok, and Vladislav Klyushin. In Russia, prominent figures like opposition politician Ilya Yashin and human rights activist Oleg Orlov were included in the exchange.
The swap marks a significant moment in East-West relations, highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy and prisoner negotiations.
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