The German government, particularly Chancellor Olaf Scholz, was instrumental in orchestrating the prisoner exchange that enabled Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and 15 others to depart from Russia. Additionally, former President Trump is said to have played an indirect role in the discussions.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Philipp Wolff, a German intelligence official and chief negotiator, recognized a potential opportunity when his Russian counterparts expressed a desire to reach an agreement ahead of the upcoming November American presidential elections.
“Some officials speculated that the Russians were either worried about an erratic Donald Trump possibly returning to the presidency, or they feared that Scholz might no longer collaborate with a president who routinely criticizes Germany,” the Journal mentioned.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated on Thursday that President Biden was “personally involved” in the diplomatic endeavors aimed at securing the return of three American citizens, including Gershkovich. Nonetheless, these efforts involved collaboration with Chancellor Scholz of Germany and other international leaders to exchange 16 prisoners from the Russian Federation.
Evan Gershkovich Freed: 5 Insights from the Extensive Wall Street Journal Report on His Return
The German government, particularly Chancellor Olaf Scholz, was vital in facilitating the prisoner exchange that allowed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and 15 others to depart from Russia. (Getty Images)
Earlier this year, Trump claimed he would ensure Gershkovich’s return if he were to win a second term.
“The reporter must be released, and he will be released,” Trump stated during an interview with TIME published in April. “I can’t predict whether he will be released under [President] Biden, but I would secure his release.”
In a conversation with FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo, Trump categorized the agreement that facilitated Gershkovich’s return as a “win” for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“As always, it turned out to be a win for Putin or any other nation engaging with us, but we did manage to get someone back, so I won’t question that,” he informed Bartiromo.
“This wouldn’t have transpired with us. We would have ensured his return. There wouldn’t have been any need for payment or for releasing some of the world’s most dangerous criminals, which is precisely what transpired, as you’re aware. And the arrangement is quite intricate because it has just been revealed. Hence, nobody yet comprehends the agreement, and they often make it convoluted so you can’t realize how unfavorable the arrangement is for us.”
The German government consented to exchange Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov to liberate prisoners, a deal reported to have faced significant opposition from elements within the German security apparatus and diplomatic community.
One of the freed individuals remarked that the German government achieved its paramount objective: safeguarding a human life.
Biden Commends Russia Prisoner Swap Agreement that Enabled WSJ’s Gershkovich and Whelan’s Return as a ‘Diplomatic Achievement’
Reporter Evan Gershkovich waves upon returning to the United States after nearly 500 days in Russian custody. (ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images)
“In a normal, humane, democratic government, nothing can take precedence over saving a human life,” democracy advocate Vladimir Kara-Murza stated. Kara-Murza was among those prisoners welcomed by Scholz at the airport.
The negotiation effort was challenging, with one senior official recounting a pivotal meeting in early spring where the Germans indicated their willingness to exchange Krasikov for multiple individuals.
“We made it clear: We are prepared, but only if the terms are acceptable,” a senior official disclosed to The Journal.
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Fox News’ Gabriel Hays contributed to this report.
