Trump raised some very serious questions.
On Thursday afternoon, former President Donald Trump raised concerns regarding the details of the recent high-profile East-West prisoner exchange. This swap led to the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American Paul Whelan, prompting Trump to question the terms of the deal.
In a post on Truth Social, the GOP presidential candidate demanded clarity on the specifics of the agreement. “When are we going to see the full details of the prisoner exchange with Russia?” Trump asked. “How many individuals did we secure in return? Are there any cash payments involved, either from us to them or from them to us? Though I suspect the latter is unlikely.”
Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Adviser, responded to Trump’s claims during a Thursday press briefing, denying any allegations of cash payments or sanctions relief as part of the deal. Sullivan emphasized that the swap did not involve financial transactions or concessions beyond the exchange of prisoners.
Trump, however, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of U.S. negotiations. He remarked, “We seem to always fall short in our deals, especially when it comes to hostage exchanges.” He further criticized the U.S. negotiators, suggesting that they often fail to secure favorable terms. “In my administration, I secured the release of many hostages without giving anything in return. Providing cash or major concessions sets a dangerous precedent and only encourages further exploitation of the United States.”
President Joe Biden, in his statement, noted that in addition to Gershkovich and Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza were also freed, bringing home three American citizens and one American green-card holder who had been unjustly detained. Biden also mentioned that the total number of individuals released to the West included 16 people, such as five Germans and seven Russian political prisoners.
In return, Russia received Vadim Krasikov, convicted in Germany of a high-profile murder; two alleged sleeper agents detained in Slovenia; a convicted computer hacker; and a suspected Russian intelligence agent accused of supplying U.S.-made electronics and ammunition to Russia.
