- Biden thanks Scholz for his help in prisoner exchange
US President Joe Biden thanked Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his contribution to the large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia. "I am particularly grateful to the Chancellor," Biden said in a speech at the White House in Washington, where relatives of the released Americans were present. Given Russia's demands, he "had to ask for significant concessions" from Germany, which initially could not fulfill them "due to the person in question." However, in the end, Germany made its contribution, as did several other countries involved in the negotiations.
"This deal would not have been possible without our allies, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey, who all stood by our side," said Biden. Several partners made "courageous" decisions by releasing prisoners who were rightfully detained in their countries - to ultimately bring Americans home.
Russia and several Western countries released around two dozen inmates in a large-scale prisoner exchange. Among them were US citizens Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, released from Russian custody. Russia, in turn, had a particular interest in the "Tiergarten murderer," the Russian Wadim K., who was also released. Biden likely referred to this decision.
K. had murdered a Georgian in the Berlin park Tiergarten in 2019. The Berlin Regional Court sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2021. According to the verdict, his victim had been in the sights of the Russian Federation for a long time because he had led a militia against Russia for several years during the Second Chechen War. Russian authorities classified the man as a Chechen terrorist. When asked what Germany demanded in return for its cooperation, Biden said: "Nothing."
He had spoken to the released Americans on the phone earlier in the presence of their relatives, Biden added. "They are out of Russia." On Thursday morning, they were flown to the Turkey, "and soon they will be on their way home to their families." The Turkish intelligence service reportedly mediated the deal - hence the exchange of prisoners was handled through Ankara.
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, acknowledged Germany's significant role in the prisoner exchange, stating, "This deal would not have been possible without our allies, Germany, who made courageous decisions." Furthermore, the President thanked several countries, including Germany, for their contributions in bringing American prisoners home.
