US and Russia complete biggest prisoner exchange since Cold War | BBC News
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Published 2024-08-01
The prisoner exchange followed years of secretive back-channel negotiations. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined the families of Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva and Evan Gershkovich at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington to welcome them back to U.S. soil.
As part of the deal, Russian security service hitman Vadim Krasikov has been freed by Germany.
There has been days of speculation about a major swap between Russia and Western countries, which was heightened after several prisoners were moved from their prison cells in Russian jails to unknown locations.
US journalist Evan Gershkovich had been sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony after being convicted on espionage charges.
Paul Whelan, 54, was given a 16-year jail sentence in 2020 after being arrested in Moscow on suspicion of spying in 2018.
Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg.
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All Comments (21)
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As a German I don't feel very good about this deal. Of course many innocent people regained their freedom thanks to this, but it also means our government can be blackmailed to release convicted murderers. This sets a very bad example for the future.
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Where's the US model saying "we do not negotiate with terrorists!" If you go to Russia expect to be kidnapped.
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Thanks to GERMANY releasing the killer they wanted for life in jail but agreed to give him up for the swap
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Finally whelan is free !!
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Man I hope they were all spies. Last time all we got was a freak famous for bouncing a ball.
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Please return Tucker Carlson to Russia
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How were your accommodations ?
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I really don’t think your commentary is right. This was going on before trades, it’s not new and these Russians will ever step foot outside without being seen.
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24 for 2 people. that doesnt seem like a great deal
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Don’t believe your eyes- they are actually starved and tortured!
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BBC wake up. USA saying now maduro needs to step down!
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Thanks to Turkiyee for their efforts and mediating this swap and making it happen.
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? germany did this deal not us
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Why USA took back prisoners with russian passports?))) It's mean that all previous wails of US about "jurnalists" was a dust to eyes of people.
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Joe's thing, he brings in prisoners. Even at the start of the Presidency, he brought in freed prisoners of war.
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Congratulations Biden 👏
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There will always be intrepid reporters ready to dash off to danger zones and it's admirable, but ultimately the organizations they work for should exercise true discretion. To the editor in chief of the WSJ who said these scenarios put countries in an impossible position..well,The writing was on the wall. The US government repeatedly pointed out said writing.
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Thank you President Biden for skillfully negotiating the release of our U.S citizens.
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Over time, if you don't practice or get feedback, you might get a bit rusty – that's skill decay" blinken, sullivan, and burns polished their rusty negotiations skills. Intensive remedial training russia negotiation skills
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Great job by the Biden and Harris administration.
