Russia, NATO countries complete major prisoner swap
2 Min Read
Among those released from Russia were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and US Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
-
A Russian Plane, believed to be carrying released Russian prisoners, leaves the Ankara Airport, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 (AP Photo)
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed the successful return of eight Russians who had been detained in various NATO countries.
The exchange took place at Ankara Airport, Turkey, and was part of a complex negotiation involving multiple parties.
The Russians were returned as part of a broader prisoner swap. In return, a group of individuals involved in activities against Russia's security were exchanged.
Among those released from Russia were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and US Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
🇺🇸🇹🇷🇷🇺 Des images claires de l’échange de prisonniers entre les États-Unis et la Russie, réalisé sous la coordination du MIT à Ankara, ont été publiées.
— Flashinfo (@Realnews829984) August 1, 2024
🇺🇸🇹🇷🇷🇺 Clear images of the prisoner exchange between the USA and Russia, carried out under the coordination of MÄ°T in Ankara,… pic.twitter.com/6Ej3WGK7OC
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed decrees to pardon thirteen individuals involved in the exchange, including Gershkovich and Whelan.
The full list of pardoned individuals includes both Russian citizens and foreigners, such as Viktor Lik, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Alexandra Skochilenko.
A credible source from a Russian agency stated that Russia is fully satisfied with the outcome of the swap. All parties involved adhered to the agreements during the exchange process, which was described as technically complex.
Read more: US-Russia prisoner swap begins as plane lands in Ankara
This comes as the US elections approach, with the Democratic Party working to secure more votes through strategic moves like these.
Vice President Kamala Harris will begin a battleground tour next week, visiting seven swing states from Pennsylvania to Nevada.
The tour is part of her campaign's preparation for a potential run as the Democratic nominee.
Harris has not yet chosen her running mate, but the tour highlights her shift from supporting President Biden to positioning herself for a potential face-off against Republican Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance.
