On Thursday, the largest exchange of prisoners since the end of the Cold War took place between Western countries and Russia. Russia and Belarus released 16 people, including American journalist Evan Hershkovich, Russian human rights defender Oleg Orlov, and opposition leader Volodymyr Kara-Murza. The West handed over ten people to Russia, including Vadym Krasikov, who was sentenced in Germany to life imprisonment for the murder he committed in Berlin’s Maly Tiergarten park.
This exchange caused a wide resonance and many conflicting emotions. Various foreign mass media reacted to this event, expressing their opinions about the consequences of this exchange.
Putin will take new hostages
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung critically evaluates the action:
“The release of a convicted murderer who, on Moscow’s orders, shot a Chechen in Berlin is a violation of the first rule of engagement with those who take hostages: never comply with their demands. The Kremlin will have no difficulty finding other agents in the West ready to kill on its orders.”
Dialogue is possible
Newspaper Corriere della Sera sees a ray of hope in this exchange:
“The fact that Vladimir Putin ordered the release of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Hershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan is very good news. It is evidence of the opening of a channel of dialogue between the Kremlin and the White House.”
Joy, contempt, surprise
The Times of London has mixed feelings:
“The first reaction should be joy at the release of Evan Hershkovich. The second reaction should be complete contempt for the government that kidnaps Western journalists. The third reaction should be surprise at the fact that the Biden administration managed to implement this deal.”
Do not forget about the fate of the Skripals!
El Periódico de Catalunya concerned about the safety of those released:
“As for those released from Russian prisons, we would like to hope that the story of Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned after his release, will not be repeated.”
The Washington Post notes:
“This exchange underscores a new level of complexity in relations between Russia and the West, marked by both renewed dialogue and heightened tensions. The question now remains whether this will lead to further negotiations or merely increase the risks of new hostage-takings.”
So, this exchange of prisoners became a vivid example of complex and contradictory relations between the West and Russia, leaving many questions and causing different reactions in society.
