US-Russia Prisoner Swap Freedom.

Wall Street Journal Reporter and Former U.S. Marine Freed in Largest U.S.-Russia Prisoner Swap Since the Cold War

“I am grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome...This is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend upon.” — President Joe Biden

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/04/19/prisoner-swaps-hostage-negotiations-bill-richardson/11528172002/

https://www.reuters.com/world/lawyer-ex-us-marine-whelan-jailed-russia-says-she-cannot-confirm-his-whereabouts-2024-07-31/

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were among 16 people released from Russian custody on Thursday in exchange for 8 individuals held in the U.S., Germany, Norway, Slovenia, and Poland. The deal, facilitated by Turkey, also includes the release of journalists Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/07/19/evan-gershkovich-russia-16-years-jail/74466957007/

Gershkovich was convicted of espionage in July, after 17 months in Russian detention, and sentenced to 16 years. Whelan was imprisoned in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges and sentenced to 16 years in a maximum-security prison. Both deny the charges.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/12/08/behind-prisoner-talks-led-brittney-griners-russia-release/10858229002/

The prisoner exchange marks a rare moment of cooperation between Russia and the West after more than two years of Russia's war in Ukraine. It follows months of negotiations and previous swaps, including basketball star Brittney Griner for arms dealer Viktor Bout in 2022.