Lengthy, complicated diplomatic talks main as much as the largest prisoner alternate since the Cold War got here down to at least one sticking level: Russian President Vladimir Putin wished the launch of infamous murderer Vadim Krasikov, who had been convicted of homicide in Germany.
The negotiations forward of the August deal have been greater than a 12 months in the making. They started over Americans held by Putin, however over the months, the deal grew to contain Russian dissidents. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who was at the heart of negotiations, stated German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was vital to the deal.
“Without him, this would not have happened. Because a central piece of the puzzle was the release of a Russian agent named Vadim Krasikov. Without Krasikov, there is no deal,” Sullivan stated.
Who is Vadim Krasikov?
Krasikov was convicted in 2021 of the 2019 homicide of Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, a Georgian citizen of Chechen descent in Berlin. Khangoshvili was a Chechen insurgent who had fought Russian troops in Chechnya.
Krasikov was sentenced to life in jail in Germany.
In November 2023, Russia rejected a unique prisoner swap provide, saying that Krasikov should be half of any commerce.
Making the 2024 prisoner swap with Russia occur
Sullivan knew a deal would not occur in a single day.
“None of it's straightforward. There's going to be twists and turns. There's going to be false starts,” he stated. “Persistence, relentlessness, that's part of the name of the game of actually securing the release of these Americans.”
Sullivan stated Scholz's dilemma was having the ability to look his individuals in the eye and say, “We are releasing someone who has committed a grievous crime on German soil. And therefore, I can deliver something for the people of Germany.”
So the deal was broadened.
“That's why we ended up thinking through enlarging the problem, not just trying to bring out Americans, but of course bring out some German citizens as well,” Sullivan stated. “And then, the critical move of being able to say to the German people, the American people, and the world, ‘We are also getting Russian Freedom Fighters out,' including people like Vladimir Kara-Murza.”
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Scholz stated his lengthy friendship with President Biden influenced his choice to launch Krasikov.
“It is not an easy decision. And I discussed it with many people in my government, and especially with Joe Biden, who asked me to help,” Scholz stated. “And my view was that this is something which we could do.”
Sullivan remembers the second Scholz stated he would attempt to make a deal.
“He said, and I remember it very vividly, on the phone with President Biden, ‘For you, Joe, I will do this,'” Sullivan stated.
Prisoners launched
On Aug. 1, eight convicted Russian criminals and spies have been traded for a number of Germans, three Americans and eight Russian dissidents, together with Putin critic Kara-Murza, who'd been sentenced to 25 years in Russia.
“You know, it's one thing to speak about protecting freedom or protecting human rights,” Kara-Murza stated, “but it's quite another thing to actually do something to protect them. And whatever else President Biden and Chancellor Scholz will be remembered for years from now, they will be remembered for this.”
60 Minutes
Kara-Murza advised 60 Minutes he quoted Jewish scripture to Scholz after his launch: “He who saves one life saves the entire world.”
“It was very nice to hear it, to be very honest with you,” Scholz stated. “On the other hand, I don't feel that great. I did what I thought is the right thing to do.”
