Largest Russia-West Prisoner Swap Since Cold War

The United States successfully negotiated the largest prisoner swap with Russia since the Cold War, resulting in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, among others. The swap involved 24 individuals and was coordinated with the help of global leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris personally welcomed the freed Americans. The deal has been praised as a significant diplomatic achievement for the Biden administration, though it has faced criticism from figures like JD Vance and Donald Trump, who argue it benefits Vladimir Putin. The released individuals shared emotional moments with their families and are undergoing reintegration processes in the US. This complex negotiation marks a notable moment in US-Russia relations amid ongoing global tensions.