US, Russia complete biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history, freeing Gershkovich and Whelan

The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing journalist Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan, along with dissidents including Vladimir Kara-Murza, in a multinational deal that set two dozen people free.

The trade unfolded despite relations between Washington and Moscow being at their lowest point since the Cold War after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Negotiators in backchannel talks at one point explored an exchange involving Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny but after his death in February ultimately stitched together a seven-nation, 24-person deal that required significant concessions from European allies, including the release of a Russian assassin, and secured freedom for a cluster of journalists, suspected spies, political prisoners and others.

[donseavey]

They picked a basketball player over a marine, no wonder recruitment is so low

[reginakarnes]

So glad they are home. Especially Paul ❤

[anthonypierce]

Thank god paul is home, should have been home a long time ago.

[ZEEZob]

Gained a woman basketball player who smuggled drugs in exchange for the merchant of death a few years back 😂

[GettingGoshen]

😂😂😂 YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL WHEN IT'S A POLITICAL YEAR..REMEMBER THAT BASKETBALL PLAYER 😂😂😂

[jan]

These Americans does not have common sense on going to Russia. They knew Russia had a history of wrongfully detaining Americans in exchanged of Russian prisoners.if no Americans will go to Russia there have no issues or drama like this.

[themrsluggo]

Whelan was left behind in favor of Britney Griner. Don't forget that.

[BADDUDE_CORNPOP]

I'm so happy they got Paul I thought they were going to leave him behind again over people who have only been recently arrested in Russia

[weshawkins]

The moral of the story, don’t go to Russia unless it’s an election year.

[JaimieJo]

Thank heavens! Paul has waited for so long!

[reptiliangenetics]

Another sign they all work together and use you as pawns

[photobyTaps]

"To the entire world, we want our hostages back-and they better be back BEFORE I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price" Donald J Trump

[maxrodgers]

We gave up a killer this time what a joke

[kristintopol]

This is good but also, it isn't good.

[Jsprings]

Glad there home but still not getting my vote

[juliebollman]

Yeah and Biden/Harris thought it more important to have Britney Griner released B4 a veteran 🤯 Politics

[joeysworldsewer]

GOD BLESS YOU PAUL FROM POLISH CAR WORKER FROM MICHIGAN ❤❤❤❤❤

[jacquelineray]

Right!!! Now the current regime does SOMETHING about our people being held by these thugs. Here comes the PR bull.

[pauljefferies]

I look forward to the story which a trained writer will provide.

[jenala]

stop going to these countries…China, vietnam, North Korean, Cuba, Iran, Afghanistan…… if you want to go remember let take care yourself don’t crybaby