Is the West letting Putin blackmail it?
Does Russia Triumph Over Western Democracies in Historic Prisoner Swap? While some media outlets warn, others see an opportunity for the Ukraine war.
The "Washington Post" sees Russian President Putin as the clear winner: "To free the innocent, it's possible to tolerate the exchange. But under the cold geopolitical conditions that dictate Putin's thinking, this is an undeniable victory for him."
The "Cologne City-Anzeiger" also places Putin on the winning side. "It's good that people who are presumably largely innocent under the rule of law are free. But the USA and Germany should not consider the exchange a success. It is rather a display of Russia's power with Turkey as a compliant accomplice. A small glimmer of hope may be that the democratic West is still able to find a deal with Russia."
This opportunity is also seen by "La Repubblica" from Italy: The prisoner exchange "could be a signal that something is moving between Moscow and Washington to reach a diplomatic solution in the Ukraine war. (...) It is known that Biden wants to end at least one of the two wars that are shaking the world, preferably the one in Ukraine, as a big success to make up for the forced withdrawal from the presidency."
The "Reutlingen General-Anzeiger" also highlights a connection point for the Ukraine war: The deal shows "that negotiated solutions are possible if all sides benefit. If the West wants to do business with Russia, it has to offer something. Perhaps that could also be an approach to peace in Ukraine. Because the likelihood of the attacked country recovering its entire territory is becoming increasingly unlikely."
In the case of the prisoner exchange, the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" estimates that Germany has mainly given in to the USA: Germany goes a long way to meet the USA. (...) It's mainly about realpolitik, especially for Germany. The country is particularly dependent on the USA, especially since the Russian attack on Ukraine. Unlike Britain and France, it does not have its own nuclear weapons. It needs the American protective umbrella. (...) You don't alienate such an ally. Even if it means releasing a murderer."
The employer of the released journalist Evan Gershkovich, the "Wall Street Journal", thanks German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for this: "Scholz exposed himself to the risk of political criticism in his own country by releasing the spy that Putin sent to kill on German soil." (...) Gershkovich "was merely a pawn in the Kremlin's new game of taking hostages to use as leverage (...). The ugly truth is that Russia and other ruthless regimes take hostages because it works. (...) The current global perception of US weakness has serious consequences for press freedom and for Americans abroad. (...) Something will have to change, otherwise more Americans will be taken hostage after this prisoner exchange."
Critically, the Spanish newspaper "ABC" expresses: "The return to these Cold War practices raises several issues. Firstly, today's democracies demand the utmost transparency and are not willing to blindly accept state reasons, regardless of how commendable their goals may be. Secondly, Russia's deliberate decision to equate journalists and political dissidents with proven spies and assassins is shameful in itself. (...) Explanations are demanded."
The Belgian "Standaard" still sees the West as the winner: "This deal also looks like blackmail. (...) Russia receives Krasikov as a hero. The Russian regime critics freed by the West, the Kremlin is happy to see them go. Exiles disappear from the news faster than martyrs in Russian cells. But this does not make Russia the winner of this blackmail. Those are and remain the countries for whom the freedom of innocent citizens is the main concern."
The Russian "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" considers Erdogan the sole secure winner: "Regardless of the long-term consequences of the exchange, one leading figure in the world has already benefited: the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He has worked hard to secure his country's reputation as a mediator of important world problems, and he has succeeded."
- The international community is now questioning the actions of The Commission in facilitating the prisoner swap, as some believe it may have inadvertently aided Russia's strategic victories.
- In light of the various perspectives, it remains crucial for The Commission to ensure transparency and uphold ethical standards in its future dealings, to prevent such controversies arising again.
