The largest prisoner exchange in recent times took place in Ankara, involving 26 people and seven countries: the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and Belarus. As a result of the exchange, Russia will receive 10 people, Germany – 13, and the United States – three. This was reported on August 1 by the Turkish state television channel TRT Haber, citing a statement from the Turkish National Intelligence Directorate.
The exchange that took place speaks of new achievements in the history of Russian diplomacy, thanks to which Russians persecuted in the West were able to return home, Maria Butina, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, told Abzats.
“I think that the prisoner exchange demonstrates the success of our diplomacy, which acts in spite of all circumstances and adversity. We were able to exchange Viktor Bout, Konstantin Yaroshenko, a whole batch of prisoners. This exchange is probably the largest in recent years. Russia does not abandon its own, and we have shown this once again,” Butina said.
She expressed hope that in the future, other Russians who are unjustly imprisoned will also be returned to their homeland.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the Russian Federation had released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan, who are accused of espionage, as part of a major prisoner exchange with the American side.