Sightful Invest
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock
Top Posts
US-backed Gaza aid group launches bold new system...
Biden doctor pleads the Fifth in speedy House...
Watchdog backs Rubio’s sanctions on UN official over...
Trump taps Sean Duffy to serve as interim...
Trump cautioned Putin he would ‘bomb the s—‘...
I worked for the most successful third party...
‘Gut check time’: Dissent among Senate GOP ranks...
New book reveals what Obama and ‘conqueror’ Trump...
Trump had very unexpected convo with Obama at...
10 reasons the DOJ and FBI face backlash...
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Stock

Sightful Invest

Politics

Behind the scenes of the prisoner swap to free WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich from Russian prison

by admin August 2, 2024
August 2, 2024
Behind the scenes of the prisoner swap to free WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich from Russian prison

After 16 months in a Russian prison, Evan Gershkovich was released Thursday in the largest prisoner swap since the Cold War, orchestrated by the Biden administration.

Almost two weeks ago, Biden announced to the world he was dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. But just before he made that decision, the president made a call to his Slovenian counterpart urging them to make final arrangements to get the historic prisoner exchange over the line. 

That swap included Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, along with legal permanent resident Vladimir Kara-Murza. In exchange, Vladamir Putin insisted his hit man Vadim Krasikov, be released back to Russia. 

Krasikov used the cover name Vadim Sokolov and was convicted by a German court for the 2019 assassination of a former Chechen commander near Berlin’s parliamentary building. He was in German custody.

President Biden had to convince German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to ultimately agree to Krasikov’s release. The government of Turkey facilitated the transfer of the prisoners. 

 ‘I don’t think anybody here on the US side has a full, complete, contextual picture of why Krasikov was treated with the priority that he was by the Russian side,’ a senior administration official told Fox News. 

‘I mean look, FSB [Federal Security Service] connection, paid assassin, ordered by the Russian Government to conduct the assassinations that he did… this is a bad dude, and a member of the Russian intelligence services. They obviously considered him an asset and wanted him back, and it was no small thing for the German government to let him go,’ the official said.  

‘Lots of tough calls throughout this exchange and certainly Krasikov was one of the tougher calls leaders had to make,’ another official said. 

‘This deal would not have been made possible without our allies Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Turkey. They all stepped up and they stood with us,’ Biden said at the White House Thursday.  ‘They stood with us, and they made bold and brave decisions, released prisoners being held in their countries who were justifiably being helped and provided logistical support to get the Americans home. So for anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do. They matter.’

Sullivan in a press briefing Thursday confirmed that no money or sanctions were part of the exchange. 

When asked if the historic prisoner exchange would incentivize hostile countries to arrest more Americans, Sullivan said, ‘It’s a question that we grapple with every time that we look at the hard decisions involved in one of these exchanges.’ 

‘It is difficult to send back a convicted criminal to secure the release of an innocent American. And yet, sometimes the choice is between doing that and consigning that person basically to live out their days in prison in a hostile foreign country, or in the hands of a hostile power. So, from our perspective, we have assessed and analyzed that risk, and we have judged that the benefit of reuniting Americans and bringing people home, and also of vindicating the idea that the American president and the American government are going to do what it takes to protect and secure the release of innocent Americans, that that benefit outweighs the risk. And that’s how we proceeded,’ Sullivan said. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

previous post
Biden’s Venezuela policy feeds Maduro strongman image, emboldens dictator in election controversy: Rubio
next post
Intel shares plunge 28%, dragging down global chip stocks

You may also like

DOJ lands legal victory as federal judge allows...

July 9, 2025

Top GOP senator calls out Code Pink, The...

April 18, 2025

DAVID MARCUS: Time for Trump to make a...

March 30, 2025

Dozens of prominent veterans sign onto letter supporting...

December 7, 2024

White House OPM orders all DEI offices to...

January 22, 2025

Trump’s second term foreign policy likely to focus...

July 21, 2024

Authentic presidential leadership: Americans know it when they...

September 15, 2024

State Dept says DOGE’s changes will be permanent...

May 30, 2025

Trump calls Springsteen ‘highly overrated’ after rocker labels...

May 16, 2025

The history of Gaza amid Trump’s plan to...

February 5, 2025

Recent Posts

  • US-backed Gaza aid group launches bold new system to deliver food directly to families
  • Biden doctor pleads the Fifth in speedy House closed-door interview
  • Watchdog backs Rubio’s sanctions on UN official over ‘shameful efforts’ targeting US, Israel
  • Trump taps Sean Duffy to serve as interim NASA chief
  • Trump cautioned Putin he would ‘bomb the s—‘ out of Moscow if Russia invaded Ukraine, new book claims

    Become a VIP member by signing up for our newsletter. Enjoy exclusive content, early access to sales, and special offers just for you! As a VIP, you'll receive personalized updates, loyalty rewards, and invitations to private events. Elevate your experience and join our exclusive community today!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Categories

    • Business (819)
    • Investing (2,497)
    • Politics (3,095)
    • Stock (4)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: sightfulinvest.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 Sightful Invest. All Rights Reserved.