Staff Reports
In a stunning display of what could be dubbed “Harris’s Gift to Putin,” the United States and Russia have pulled off the largest post-Cold War prisoner swap, moving a staggering 24 prisoners. This multinational deal sped through like a hot knife through butter, which is ironic since it included the release of a Russian contract killer. The chaotic exchange has left many scratching their heads, especially when you consider who was swapped.
Among those exchanging a prison cell for freedom were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan, both of whom seem to be living better lives these days than any of us can imagine. Gershkovich, a trendy journalist who was enjoying a vacation in Russia until things went south for him in March 2023, is now back in the land of the free, while Whelan, holding down the fort since 2018, finally gets to reunite with his family. Meanwhile, the Russians have their hands on Vadim Krasikov, a convicted assassin whose résumé reads like a horror movie plot.
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What’s even more interesting is that while American heads of state, namely Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, prepare for a heartfelt photo-op at Andrews Air Force Base, they can’t seem to escape the shadow of former President Trump. Biden took a jab at Trump, questioning why he didn’t pull off any miraculous rescues during his own tenure. The irony runs deep: most of the prisoners exchanged were captured under Biden’s watch, raising eyebrows over the administration’s ability to handle foreign policy and its implications for American citizens abroad.
Among the prisoners released were some familiar names from the dark side of opposition politics, including serious critics of Putin. One noteworthy character is Alsu Kurmasheva, who just wanted to visit her ailing mother in Kazan but ended up munching on prison food for spreading “false information” about the Russian military. Couple that with Ilya Yashin, who received an impressive 8.5-year sentence for exercising his right to criticize the war in Ukraine, and it’s clear that this swap involves more than simple diplomacy.
The cherry on this dubious cake is the inclusion of Vadim Krasikov, the Russian hitman who claimed his fame by assassinating individuals like a popcorn movie villain. Krasikov is infamous for taking out enemies of the state, including a Georgian national who had the audacity to seek asylum in Germany. His release just underscores how willing Putin is to play ball when it comes to getting his own back, all while Biden pretends that he’s winning the game.
The saga leaves plenty of questions hanging in the air about whether the Biden administration is more focused on a few photo-worthy moments than ensuring that Americans in foreign lands remain safe from the likes of Putin. The world is watching, and it can’t help but question whether this prisoner exchange only serves to further embolden authoritarian regimes, rather than provide a meaningful solution to international hostage situations.
