The United States and Russia completed their largest post-Soviet slave transfer on Thursday, involving 24 people. This contentious trade, in AP’s opinion, came after months of negotiations and required concessions from the Russian prisoners held in Europe.
The switch saw the launch of a diverse team, including reporters, political dissidents, suspected spies, a thief, a fraudster, and also a convicted criminal. Evan Gershkovich, a journalist for the Wall Street Journal, and Paul Whelan, a Michigan-based business surveillance professional, both accused of spying claims that the US authorities found to be unsubstantial. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty blogger Alsu Kurmasheva and Kremlin writer Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was serving a 25-year word for treachery, were also released.
Vadim Krasikov, who was allegedly ordered by Moscow’s security services, was the most notorious of the eight people Russia received. He was convicted in Germany in 2021 for the death of a previous Chechen rebel in Berlin. The change also included two alleged” sleeper” officials jailed in Slovenia, three people charged in the US, and two people returned from Norway and Poland.
This significant change does not suggest that US-Russian relations are improving. Prior transfers, such as the WNBA star’s swap with arms smuggler Viktor Bout in December 2022, have not had positive effects on relations. The frequent hostilities are underlined by the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and the US military support for Kyiv.
Numerous Americans are still being held in Russia despite the scope of the switch. This group includes Travis Leake, a singer convicted on drug costs, Gordon Black, an American man convicted of theft and dangers of death, Marc Fogel, a tutor also convicted on drug costs, and Ksenia Khavana, arrested for treachery fees linked to collecting money for Ukraine’s defense.
Fogel’s community expressed disappointment over his isolation from the switch, deeming it “inconceivable” and urging the Biden presidency to prioritise his release. The remaining prisoners ‘ discharge was acknowledged by a senior administration official.
The US and its supporters have released people convicted of serious crimes, including Krasikov, whose deeds were tied to the Russian government. Krasikov’s 2019 death of Zelimkhan” Tornike” Khangoshvili, a Greek member and former Chechen dissident, was conducted under a false identification provided by Soviet authorities. Throughout conversations, Russia prioritised Krasikov’s discharge, with President Vladimir Putin hinting at the prospect earlier this year.
In contrast, Russia’s release of Americans and Europeans was primarily based on inconvenient costs. Joe Biden, leader, emphasized the importance of protecting Americans despite acknowledging the difficult choices involved in these transactions.
Belarusian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was a notable participant in the transfer. A possible trade between Navalny and Krasikov had been discussed, but Navalny’s sudden and mysterious death in February stifled these discussions. Unfortunately, many of Navalny’s affiliates were released.
Politically speaking, President Biden had foreshadowed his commitment to ensuring the transfer of Americans who had been imprisoned for their political reasons. Biden delicately contrasted former President Donald Trump’s” America First” strategy with the importance of foreign alliances while welcoming the people of the returning American to the White House. Trump criticized the agreement, making the false claim that the US paid Russia for the transfer, and questioned the release of criminals, per AP.
