US reaches deal with Russia on largest prisoner swap

The United States and four allies reached a deal with Russia for their largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War, in a swap that includes the release of 16 people including US journalist Evan Gershkovich, the White House said on Thursday.

The Biden administration negotiated the complex trade with Russia and several other countries, agreeing to send eight prisoners held in the West back to Russia, including Vadim Krasikov, who had been serving a life sentence for killing a Chechen-Georgian dissident in Berlin.

Passersby in New York weighed in. “I think it feels a bit unfair, but I also feel like it’s probably good that we’re getting back one of our own,” said Elizabeth Gunner.

“From an outsider’s view looking in, I do think the trade was a bit unequal, maybe.”

“It’s really unfair that he (was held as) a prisoner, really unfair, because journalists are doing their jobs,” said Isaac Barrera. “A journalist… is one of the most important professions that exists because for almost all of them, they’re looking for the truth.”

Negotiated in secret for more than a year, the deal represents a major accomplishment for the parties and will be presented by the Biden administration as a marquee foreign policy success as the US presidential race enters its final months.