
<p>Kudos to the Biden administration for negotiating a successful multi-person prisoner exchange with Russia. ; We can all engage in celebratory joy in seeing so many innocent victims of Russian “justice” released to safety and their families.</p>



<p>As is always the case, however, it is a lopsided exchange. ; That does not take away from the success in getting American hostages returned from their unjust incarceration. ; On the American side, we secured the release of individuals who have been unjustly arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated. ; They were not taken into custody because of the crimes they are alleged to have committed. ; They were arrested for one reason &#8212; to serve as bargaining chips to gain the release of Vladimir Putin’s favorite murderers, assassins and terrorists. ; America wins the release of good people. ; Putin gets back his evil thugs.</p>



<p>While that does not seem like a fair bargain, it is the nature of such exchanges. That is because of the difference in American and Russian values. We value the lives of American citizens – and have a sense of justice. On the other hand, Putin values the work of his killers. We win the release of people who should not be in jail and surrender those who should be. If we did not do that, there would be no prisoner exchanges.</p>



<p>In theory, we should never agree to these exchanges because it puts future Americans at risk – to be seized as bargaining chips in future negotiations. We saw that in the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. His arrest was a necessary component that led to the current exchange – and the release of Putin’s personal hitman and assassin, Vadim Krasikov. It was a similar deal that exchanged Brittney Griner for Russian arms merchant Viktor Bout.</p>



<p>Whenever a Western democracy arrests and holds any of Putin’s high value henchmen, the Madman of Moscow will simply keep grabbing innocent individuals until he has enough chips to get his killers back. Because of the value we put on hostages as victims &#8212; and the value Putin puts on hostages as bargaining chips – we enter into these agreements over and over again. </p>



<p>The dynamic will not change. ; Terrorists and assassins will do their dirty work in the future. ; The United States and our allies will catch some of them – and through a fair judicial process, they will be tried and incarcerated or put on death row. ; AND – murderous authoritarian leaders like Putin will grab enough American citizens to win freedom for his high-value terrorists, assassins and heinous murderers so that they can be returned to their deadly occupations. ; In fact, Putin is still holding American hostages, including teacher Marc Fogel, who did not make the cut for this exchange.</p>



<p>The multi-national, multi-person exchange of prisoners was an impressive diplomatic achievement by the Biden administration. ; But &#8230; we have to keep in mind that it was only possible by giving Putin what he wanted &#8212; and who he wanted.</p>



<p>It is a happy day for Americans and other international hostages, but a sad day for justice and the future security of traveling Americans and the future victims of those released to Putin.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Biden negotiates prisoner exchange … a mixed blessing
