US-Russia prisoner exchange: biggest since Cold War
24 people, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, were released from Russian custody
What happened
At least two dozen people, including the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and four other Americans, were released from Russian custody on Thursday as part of a massive prisoner exchange involving seven nations and months of negotiations.
Who said what
Americans Gershkovich, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Paul Whelan were "unjustly imprisoned" and are "finally coming home," President Joe Biden said on Wednesday. Their release was a "feat of diplomacy" that also saw five Germans and seven Russian citizens freed from Russian imprisonment in exchange for eight Russians, including convicted murderer Vadim Krasikov.
The prisoner swap was the "largest and most complex" of its kind "since the Cold War," The Wall Street Journal said. It was the result of an "elaborate web of negotiations behind the scenes" involving seven countries and is a "diplomatic victory for President Biden," The New York Times said. The exchange took place in Turkey, "increasingly familiar grounds for prisoner swaps."
What next?
At least eight Americans are "still left behind in Russian detention," The Washington Post said. As part of the conditions for releasing Gershkovich, the reporter was allowed to leave with the "makings of a book he had labored over," the Journal said. He was also required to write a request for clemency from Russia's President Vladimir Putin. In his letter, Gershkovich asked if Putin would be "willing to sit down for an interview."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
The never-ending wonder of Pompeii
In The Spotlight A luxury bathhouse is the latest treasure to be uncovered at the 'gift that keeps on giving'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
How to avoid Blue Monday's financial woes
The Explainer The most depressing day of the year can actually be a catalyst for good money decisions
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Prop 6, inmate firefighters and the state of prison labor
The Explainer The long-standing controversial practice raises questions about exploitation
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Restricting what an agent can know and respond to reduces its competitiveness'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine and Syria: a budding new friendship
The Explainer Why Zelenskyy's government is rapidly building ties with Russia's former ally in the Middle East
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine hints at end to 'hot war' with Russia in 2025
Talking Points Could the new year see an end to the worst European violence of the 21st Century?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why is Putin 'de-exonerating' Stalin's victims?
Under the radar Russian president has 'insatiable impulse' to 'rewrite history', say commentators
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
What Assad's fall means beyond Syria
The Explainer Russia and Iran scramble to forge new ties with Syrian rebels as Israel seeks to exploit opportunities and Turkey emerges as 'main winner'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Syria's Assad flees to Russia as rebels take Damascus
Speed Read Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow after rebels' takeover ended his family's 54-year rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published