Even seasoned geopolitical observers were surprised.
But behind the scenes, months of tense negotiations, close to disaster and difficult moral compromises have been made in the biggest East-West prisoner swap in decades.
Not since the Cold War, when secret agents and political prisoners would be exchanged on Berlin’s Bridge of Spies, have so many prisoners been sold.
The highly complex deal, which saw 24 inmates released from prisons in seven countries, before it collapsed and was in doubt until before it was sealed. Among those released were two British prisoners, eight Russian agents, four Americans, five Germans and five Russian anti-Putin activists.
In the twilight of his presidency, the formidable Joe Biden played the pacifier while Western officials scrambled for terms.
US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was released from custody in Russia, waves as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA, Thursday.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris congratulated Evan Gershkovich, who was released from detention in Russia, when he arrived in the US on Thursday.
Gershkovich was hugged by his mother, Ella Milman, when he arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA, on Thursday.
In particular, Germany is reluctant to free Kremlin assassin Vadim Krasikov – who shot dead a Chechen man in exile in Berlin five years ago – reportedly fearing a swap would become a ‘business model’ for Russia.
But in quiet meetings on the sidelines of other diplomatic meetings, President Biden finally convinced Chancellor Olaf Scholz to agree.
According to analysts, this is a moral compromise – and one that could prove to have lasting implications.
Because if Vladimir Putin was not sure before whether he could bring back his prized minion, he no longer doubts on that score.
It’s a backstair deal, if ever there was one. Due to Russia’s illegal invasion and occupation of Ukraine, East-West relations are at their worst in decades.
But while this exchange was evident, the spymasters in London, Washington and Moscow were still talking.
During the negotiations, shadow officials set up special channels to discuss various prisoner proposals.
The exchange took place in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday. The country has previously acted as a mediator for prisoner exchanges between Russia and the West
A Russian Tupolev Tu-204-300 plane prepares to land at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport in Ankara amid exchanges
Former US marine Paul Whelan has also been released as part of a major prisoner swap
Radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was arrested in October last year and accused of not registering as a foreign agent, has also been released.
President Biden shared this photo shortly after the launch with the caption: ‘After suffering unimaginable suffering and uncertainty, Americans detained in Russia are safe, free, and have begun their journey back into the arms of their families’
Among the prisoners discussed is former US Marine Paul Whelan, a citizen of four countries, including England.
He had visited Moscow to attend a party in December 2018 when he was arrested by a Kremlin hoodlum wearing a balaclava who accused him of espionage.
Mr Whelan spent 2,043 days in custody, singing the national anthem to cheer himself up and was known to joke that the Russians thought they had captured James Bond when they were actually holding Mr Bean.
The ordeal finally ended at a quarter to midnight when a plane carrying him, Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich and others landed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Mr Whelan was the first to be greeted by Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He greeted before shaking hands.
Months earlier, the deal collapsed following the death of Putin critic and political rival Alexei Navalny, who died in a Russian prison cell in February.
Alsu Kurmasheva, second from left, is greeted by family members after he arrived at Kelly Field after he was released by Russia.
Former prisoners freed by Russia including Evan Gershkovich, former US marine Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva pose after landing at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas, on August 2.
Previously, Germany was willing to trade Krasikov to secure the safety of Mr. Navalny. But when he died, many observers thought the exchange would expire with him.
Work to revive the deal began after the deaths at the Munich security conference – and continued even as Mr Biden conducted a disastrous TV debate against Donald Trump.
On July 19, a Russian court found Mr. Gershkovich guilty of spying and sentenced him to 16 years in a maximum security detention center. To the outside world, it all seemed like a crushing blow to the journalist.
But those who really know are suspicious. Before the prisoner swap, Moscow authorities usually sentenced people to very long prison terms to be released.
Mr. Gershkovich and others received pardons yesterday as they finally tasted freedom.
