Social media commentators noted that journalist Evan Gershkovich’s release from Russian captivity came as Donald Trump had said in the past that President Vladimir Putin would release him “for me, but not for anyone else. “
On Thursday, Gershkovich was freed as part of an exchange of 24 other people conducted through Russia, Belarus, the United States and several other Western countries. A total of 16 other people were released through Moscow, a mix of foreign nationals and domestic politicians. prisoners, while 8 were released through Western countries, adding to the convicted spies and Vadim Krasikov, convicted of murdering a dissident exiled in Berlin.
On May 23, in a post on his Truth Social website, Trump advised that Putin would release Gershkovich after the 2024 presidential election as a non-public favor. The Republican presidential candidate wrote: “Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained through Russia, will be released almost after the election, yet indeed before I take office.
“He will be AT HOME, SAFE AND WITH HIS FAMILY. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, will do this for me, but not for anyone else, and WE WILL PAY NOTHING!”
In posts on X, formerly Twitter, several political commentators discussed Gershkovich’s release, which they said took a stand despite Trump’s claim on Truth Social.
Nicholas Grossman, a professor of foreign affairs at the University of Illinois, wrote: “I am glad to learn that American political prisoners in Russia, added WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich, will return home.
“I’m curious what the United States traded. Has Russia’s calculus changed or has the United States met its price? And I still can’t notice that Trump has claimed that only he can do it. “
Writer David Frum, who in the past worked as a speechwriter for President George W. Bush, sharing an article about the prisoner swap, added, “It looks like Putin has lost religion in Trump’s victory in November. . . at the beginning. “
Earlier this month, Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted of espionage. The Wall Street Journal, his employer and the United States State Department insisted the fees were fabricated.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, President Joe Biden asked about Trump’s repeated statements “that he could have taken the hostages without giving anything in return. “
In response, the president asked, “Why didn’t he do it when he was president?”
Gershkovich was not arrested until March 2023, but Paul Whelan, another American included in the exchange, has been detained in Russia since December 2018.
When reached for comment, Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesman, directed Newsweek to a post published through the former president on Truth Social in reaction to the prisoner deal.
Trump wrote, “So when are you going to reveal the main points of the prisoner exchange with Russia?Am I sure the answer is NO)? Do we lose the murderers, the murderers or the bullies?
“Just out of curiosity, because we never make smart deals under any circumstances, especially when it comes to hostage exchanges. Our “negotiators” are an embarrassment to us! I took a lot of hostages and gave NOTHING to the other country, and never any money. Doing this is a bad precedent for the future. That’s how it deserves to be, otherwise it’s going to get worse. They extort the United States of America. They call the industry “complex” – so that no one can perceive how serious it is. It is!”
Gershkovich, Whelan, Russian-American journalist Alsou Kurmasheva and cardholder Vladimir Kara-Murza were greeted by Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as they landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Thursday night.
James Bickerton is a journalist for Newsweek U. S. News founded in London, United Kingdom. He focuses on covering American politics and global politics. He covered the intersection between politics and emerging technologies, such as synthetic intelligence. James joined Newsweek in July 2022 from LBC and previously worked for the Daily Express. He graduated from Oxford University. Languages: English. Twitter: @JBickertonUK.
You can contact James by emailing j. bickerton@newsweek. com
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