[Rainger99]

Some good news out of Russia!

Russia agrees to free Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in multi-country prisoner swap - ABC News

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Some good news out of Russia!

Russia agrees to free Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in multi-country prisoner swap - ABC News

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]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

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]

Originally Posted by 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]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

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]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[LuvNH]

Originally Posted by justjim

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]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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]

Originally Posted by Caymus

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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