WASHINGTON: The landmark prisoner swap involving Russia, the United States, and several of its allies that brought home journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, along with 14 others, was the result of over two years of secret negotiations and complex diplomacy.
Early 2022 – ‘Spy for a Spy’
The talks began before Gershkovich’s detention, soon after US basketball player Brittney Griner was detained in Russia in February 2022. Russia approached Washington with a proposal: Griner and Whelan, who was convicted of espionage (a charge he and the US deny), could be released in exchange for Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov. However, Krasikov was imprisoned in Germany, serving a life sentence for murdering a Chechen-Georgian dissident in Berlin. The US considered the offer insincere.
In December 2022, Griner was released in a swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, leaving Whelan behind. “I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release,” Whelan told CNN at the time.
Early 2023 – Navalny in the Mix?
In early 2023, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and his German counterpart, Jens Ploetner, explored a new approach for Whelan’s release. They considered a deal where Germany would release Krasikov in exchange for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who had been treated in Berlin after his poisoning. However, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock opposed the idea, believing Navalny would return to Russia.
Gershkovich Arrested
In March 2023, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia. The Biden administration prioritized diplomatic channels to avoid legitimizing espionage allegations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, asserting Gershkovich’s innocence. Lavrov responded that Gershkovich had been “caught red-handed.”
In October 2023, Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was detained, complicating negotiations further. Washington’s subsequent offers were rebuffed by Moscow.
January and February 2024 – Biden and Scholz Agree
On January 16, 2024, Biden invited German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to the White House, where they agreed to include Krasikov in a swap. This plan was finalized on February 9. Germany weighed Krasikov’s release against the lives of those unjustly imprisoned in Russia.
February 2024 – Navalny Dies
On February 16, Navalny died in a Russian penal colony, derailing the swap plan. Despite this setback, Sullivan assured Gershkovich’s parents there was still hope.
During the Munich Security Conference, Vice President Kamala Harris met with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob to secure the release of two Russians held in Slovenia as part of the deal.
Early 2024 – A New Approach
The White House increased efforts, with daily meetings on the issue. Gershkovich’s case remained in the headlines, and lawmakers took notice. Biden sent a letter to Scholz in April outlining a new deal. In June, Scholz agreed to release Krasikov, initiating a multi-step prisoner exchange.
July 2024 – Deal is On
By early July, Russia agreed to the swap in principle. In late July, they accepted it formally. Despite political turmoil, Biden personally called the Slovenian prime minister to finalize the deal, hours before announcing he would not seek reelection.
This week, Sullivan informed the families of the detained Americans to come to the White House for news about their case. The swap, involving intricate international logistics, was finally set to proceed.