John Kirby, a communications adviser for the National Security Council at the White House, responded to the backlash regarding the release of Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov in exchange for three Americans and other political prisoners held in Russia.
The individuals released on Thursday include former Marine Paul Whelan, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. This prisoner swap is being described as the largest exchange between the United States and Russia since the Cold War.
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Former Russian prisoners Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Paul Whelan speaking on the phone with President Joe Biden on Thursday, August 1, 2024. (The White House)
Krasikov, who was sentenced for murder in 2019, was released by Germany as part of the prisoner swap and was seen embracing Vladimir Putin in Moscow upon his return.
An undated image received from Reuters shows Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov, who was sentenced to life in 2021 for assassinating a Chechen-Georgian dissident in a Berlin park, captured in Berlin, Germany, on August 1, 2024. (Photo obtained by REUTERS)
According to Baier, citing Newsweek, there has been criticism that the prisoner exchange is being viewed as a “triumph” for Vladimir Putin.
Kirby conveyed to Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on “Special Report” that the decision to free Krasikov demanded significant moral courage from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
“There’s no celebration or joy over here that Mr. Krasikov is now free. Negotiations entail tough choices and difficult decisions. The president was prepared to make that tough call to secure the release of all these individuals, not just the Americans,” he stated.
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“In the end, if we weigh it out, yes — these are criminals on the Russian side, and yes, they’re innocent on the West side, but ultimately, I think we can all agree that it’s preferable to have innocent individuals no longer suffering in Russian prisons for their entire lives — and that’s what this ultimately came down to.”
This image released by the White House features Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Paul Whelan among others on a plane on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, following their release from captivity in Russia. (White House via AP)
Kirby emphasized that it’s not uncommon for Putin and Russia to “unjustly” detain Americans as leverage for negotiations later on.
“This is not behavior we expect to change anytime soon, which is why we strongly advise Americans against traveling to Russia,” he urged. “There is a significant risk of detention there. Avoid going — and if you are already there, you should consider departing.”
Gershkovich, Whelan, and Kurmasheva are expected to arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland late Thursday night.
U.S. President Joe Biden addresses the release of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza during a brief event at the White House in Washington, U.S., on August 1, 2024, with some of their family members present. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
Kirby mentioned that the White House is actively trying to secure the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, who received a 14-year sentence in a Russian penal colony for having medical marijuana.
“We are currently engaged in discussions with the Russians to explore options for bringing Mr. Fogel home,” he informed Baier. “We will persist in our efforts.”
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“Our goal remains to exert every effort possible to secure the release of all wrongfully detained Americans and any Americans wrongfully detained overseas.”
