Former US President and the 2024 Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump, have doubted the recent exchange of prisoners between the United States and Russia, suspecting that the financial component could have been involved in this process. He expressed his remarks on the Truth Social platform.
Trump asked if details of the agreement were announced, in particular how many people were exchanged and whether any cash payment was made. "Do we pay them cash? Do they give us cash?" - he wondered, noting that US negotiations often do not conclude favorable transactions, especially when it comes to exchanging hostages.
He stressed that during his presidency he returned many prisoners, giving hostile countries nothing in return, including money. Trump believes that the establishment of cash payments as part of such transactions creates a dangerous precedent and can lead to a deterioration of the situation in the future. He stressed that such agreements should be transparent to avoid suspicion of abuse.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan denied any cash payments or weakening of sanctions in the exchange.
A large -scale exchange of prisoners between the US and Russia
On August 1, 2024, a large -scale exchange of prisoners between Russia and a number of Western countries, including the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia and Norway, took place in Turkey. In total, 26 people were exchanged. In particular, Russia received back the Tirgarten killer Vadim Krasikov, detained in 2019 after the murder in Germany, as well as convicted for espionage Anna and Artem Dulsev and several other persons.
In her turn, Moscow released 16 people, among whom were known political prisoners, journalists, in particular, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmanashev, the former Marines Paul Wilan and German citizen Patrick Shebel.
The exchange has provoked a broad reaction and discussion, including critical remarks from the former President Trump, who expressed doubts about the honesty and benefits of this Agreement for the US.
