Russia to release WSJ reporter and Marine.

[Rainger99]

Some good news out of Russia!

Russia agrees to free Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in multi-country prisoner swap - ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/russia-agrees-free-evan-gershkovich-paul-whelan-multi/story?id=112446743)

[Topspinmo]

Some good news out of Russia!

Russia agrees to free Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in multi-country prisoner swap - ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/russia-agrees-free-evan-gershkovich-paul-whelan-multi/story?id=112446743)

Is that 5 for 1 swap or more? 10 for 2?

[retiredguy123]

I'm glad they are being released. But, why is it that, whenever an American is arrested, they are innocent, but, when a Russian is arrested, they are guilty. Don't both countries have spies?

[Rainger99]

Is that 5 for 1 swap or more? 10 for 2?

24 people were exchanged. I haven’t seen a breakdown on how many from each country.

[justjim]

We release the “bad guys” and they the “good guys” and we move on.

[Rainger99]

24 people were exchanged. I haven’t seen a breakdown on how many from each country.

Russia is reported to have released 16 prisoners and the West Is releasing 8. Three Americans are released.

[Caymus]

Russia is reported to have released 16 prisoners and the West Is releasing 8. Three Americans are released.

So, Russia just needs to "arrest" some more.

[Keefelane66]

Just like with Julian Assange, this is all about taking credit so someone else can't later.
That person had it’s chance.

[Cuervo]

What America has to do is make a list of countries that our citizens should not go to.
If they want to go to these countries, they must sign a release that it is at their own risk.
Evan Gershkovich the reporter, I'm sure is good at his job and got better in-depth stories, better than other reporters because he was doing his job from within the country. But he had to know there were risks. There are reporters from other news agencies that report from outside the Russian boarders simply because they know they could be arrested at a whim. As an American there are certain counties, I would not visit either because of crime or political danger. People have to start taking responsibility for the decision they make.

[retiredguy123]

What America has to do is make a list of countries that our citizens should not go to.
If they want to go to these countries, they must sign a release that it is at their own risk.
Evan Gershkovich the reporter, I'm sure is good at his job and got better in-depth stories, better than other reporters because he was doing his job from within the country. But he had to know there were risks. There are reporters from other news agencies that report from outside the Russian boarders simply because they know they could be arrested at a whim. As an American there are certain counties, I would not visit either because of crime or political danger. People have to start taking responsibility for the decision they make.
Good luck enforcing the release. We already have a policy to not negotiate with terrorists. How is that working out?

[LuvNH]

We release the “bad guys” and they the “good guys” and we move on.

Well they are not likely to release the "bad" guy because neither us or them wants them. The only bargaining chip is someone worth having or unjustly taken.

I think there is more to this large exchange than meets the eye, Putin is not known for being generous, I think there must be something more in the works and I am hoping it is PEACE talks for Ukraine.

[Bay Kid]

The Russians will be back in trouble again and Americans should stay out of harms way.

[jimbomaybe]

Good luck enforcing the release. We already have a policy to not negotiate with terrorists. How is that working out?

Sometimes it is more expedient to "deal" with the situation for many reasons left unsaid , certainly no one would negotiate with a hostage taker

[Ptmcbriz]

So, Russia just needs to "arrest" some more.

Americans need to stop being knuckleheads going to Russia. You go to Russia and then you are surprised you are taken as a chess piece in Putin’s horror show?

[airstreamingypsy]

What America has to do is make a list of countries that our citizens should not go to.
If they want to go to these countries, they must sign a release that it is at their own risk.
Evan Gershkovich the reporter, I'm sure is good at his job and got better in-depth stories, better than other reporters because he was doing his job from within the country. But he had to know there were risks. There are reporters from other news agencies that report from outside the Russian boarders simply because they know they could be arrested at a whim. As an American there are certain counties, I would not visit either because of crime or political danger. People have to start taking responsibility for the decision they make.

I agree 100%. Every time I see someone was arrested in one of the scary countries I think to myself, what were you thinking?

[Kenswing]

What America has to do is make a list of countries that our citizens should not go to.
If they want to go to these countries, they must sign a release that it is at their own risk.
Evan Gershkovich the reporter, I'm sure is good at his job and got better in-depth stories, better than other reporters because he was doing his job from within the country. But he had to know there were risks. There are reporters from other news agencies that report from outside the Russian boarders simply because they know they could be arrested at a whim. As an American there are certain counties, I would not visit either because of crime or political danger. People have to start taking responsibility for the decision they make.
Go to the State Department’s website. They list travel advisories for just about every country.

[Stu from NYC]

Very true. Not the time to go to russia

[Lottoguy]

This is great news, but I'm sure somebody will complain about it.

[Johnsocat]

I'm glad they are being released. But, why is it that, whenever an American is arrested, they are innocent, but, when a Russian is arrested, they are guilty. Don't both countries have spies?

It's what the government is not telling us that worries me...

[Cuervo]

On my previous posting I stated that the U.S. should have a list of countries citizens should not visit and if they intendent to do so they should be required to sign a release.
That release should specify if they are arrested for any reason, they acknowledge our country will do the bare minimum to obtain their release.
Why this country has to go through this every now and then for a citizen's poor discissions is beyond me.

[DebiR]

There are no answers that come easy.

America and Russia have had issues for my whole life.
Humans repeat mistakes. Humans trying to figure out life, for a lifetime…

My life mantra now: do the best I can, for as long as I can, and hope my kids and grandkids have a positive, good long life!😉💙🩵💚❤️

[retiredguy123]

On my previous posting I stated that the U.S. should have a list of countries citizens should not visit and if they intendent to do so they should be required to sign a release.
That release should specify if they are arrested for any reason, they acknowledge our country will do the bare minimum to obtain their release.
Why this country has to go through this every now and then for a citizen's poor discissions is beyond me.
A release from what? The U.S. Government has no obligation to do anything to get a private citizen out of jail.

[Cuervo]

A release from what? The U.S. Government has no obligation to do anything to get a private citizen out of jail.

Then why do we keep on doing it.
In these casts our government says they were arrested for unwarranted reasons for political advantage.
Which make me repeat my initial posting.
Make the person who is about to go to an adversary's country either for pleasure or business fully aware of the risk and have them sign a waiver stating they acknowledge if they are arrested for whatever reason this government will not get involved.
Then if they are detained neither they or their family will neither have grounds for tears or complaints.
I applaud the missionaries that feed the poor and hungry, but when they knowing go into a country that is either about to fall or is ruled by uncontrollable crime, I question their discissions.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Americans need to stop being knuckleheads going to Russia. You go to Russia and then you are surprised you are taken as a chess piece in Putin’s horror show? or Iran, or ISIS-controlled countries, or those missionaries that insist on going into North Korea. Y'all are fools.

[retiredguy123]

Then why do we keep on doing it.
In these casts our government says they were arrested for unwarranted reasons for political advantage.
Which make me repeat my initial posting.
Make the person who is about to go to an adversary's country either for pleasure or business fully aware of the risk and have them sign a waiver stating they acknowledge if they are arrested for whatever reason this government will not get involved.
Then if they are detained neither they or their family will neither have grounds for tears or complaints.
I applaud the missionaries that feed the poor and hungry, but when they knowing go into a country that is either about to fall or is ruled by uncontrollable crime, I question their discissions.
I don't disagree with you, but signing a waiver will not change anything.

[Cuervo]

I believe the waiver would have two effects. First it might slow down the citizens if they are made fully aware of the risk they are taking. Second if the U.S. actually implements this policy and abides by it, adversary will realize holding hostages will no longer be of any use.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I have yet to see any photos of them jubilantly landing in the U.S., reports of medical condition or status when received, or statements from those released. News vacuum?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

keeping the events simple:

1) US view: visiting certain countries has a non zero risk of anyone becoming a political bargaining chip.
2) Russian view: Putin signals to his spies abroad that he will bring them home using his prisoner swap method. .

moving right along,
visiting St Petersburg on a cruise ship is probably out of the question now. . for now

[Achilles]

I agree 100%. Every time I see someone was arrested in one of the scary countries I think to myself, what were you thinking?

Like the idiots who go to countries that have laws against drugs and/or weapons/ammunition, violate those laws, and then whine when they get arrested and thrown in jail. Better to let them serve the full sentence, maybe the next traveler will think about where they are going and what they are doing.