Prisoner swop may only embolden Moscow to take more hostages
The Straits Times|August 03, 2024
US had no option but to give in to Russian pressure, creating a dangerous precedent
Jonathan Eyal
Prisoner swop may only embolden Moscow to take more hostages

The swop of 26 prisoners between the United States and Russia on Aug 1 was the "culmination of many rounds of complex, painstaking negotiations over many, many months", according to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

There has never been such a sensational exchange of prisoners between the West and Moscow even during the Cold War, when such deals used to be frequent.

On Aug 1, under great secrecy, government planes from Russia, Germany, Slovenia, Poland, Norway and the US landed at an airport in the Turkish capital of Ankara, each carrying prisoners on board. Masked security guards then started moving the prisoners from one aircraft to the next, in a shuffle resembling a game of speed dating.

Ten were handed over by Western governments to Russia, while the Russians released 16 prisoners, mostly to the US.

Both sides were determined to extract the maximum political capital from the occasion. US President Joe Biden telephoned America's freed citizens while they were still in the air, and greeted each one individually as they landed in Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received his freed citizens with a red carpet, a guard of honour, bouquets of flowers and promises of future state awards and decorations.

Yet, as significant and gratifying as this is to those currently free on both sides, the prisoner exchange also leaves a bitter aftertaste.

The transaction will only encourage the already well-established Russian practice of using people - including its own citizens as mere commodities that can be held hostage or bartered at will.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 03, 2024-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 03, 2024-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE STRAITS TIMESAlle anzeigen
The Straits Times

Touring exhibition of graffiti artist Banksy to open in Singapore in December

The guerilla-style political art of anonymous graffiti artist Banksy, which has popped up on streets in cities worldwide, will finally grace vandalism-tough Singapore this December—albeit indoors.

time-read
1 min  |
November 07, 2024
The Straits Times

Bag brand Aupen's founder is former national swimmer Nicholas Tan

The Singapore-founded bag brand Aupen has been seen on the arms of pop superstars Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce, but the team behind the trendy label has largely kept a low profile—until now.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 07, 2024
The Straits Times

Music from Bridgerton in upcoming concert

Fans of the Netflix historical romance series Bridgerton (2020 to present) are in for a treat as songs from the hit show will be performed in Singapore.

time-read
1 min  |
November 07, 2024
Travel news Travel discounts at Trafalgar Tours' showcase
The Straits Times

Travel news Travel discounts at Trafalgar Tours' showcase

From Nov 6 to 10, Trafalgar Tours, a brand under travel company The Travel Corporation (TTC), is holding its first travel fair at the level one atrium of shopping centre Plaza Singapura.

time-read
1 min  |
November 07, 2024
Musical Six retells stories of Henry VIII's wives in pop-concert style
The Straits Times

Musical Six retells stories of Henry VIII's wives in pop-concert style

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived - this is how most people remember the six wives of 16th-century King of England Henry VIII.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 07, 2024
Nafa's hopes of building a print archive
The Straits Times

Nafa's hopes of building a print archive

The acquisition of a collection from Typesettingsg, Singapore's only letterpress heritage studio, has increased its holdings by about 10 times

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 07, 2024
Brotherly bonds cut deeper than blades
The Straits Times

Brotherly bonds cut deeper than blades

Psychological thriller Pierce offers a bracing portrait of how young men seek out and cling to male role models

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 07, 2024
Thousands of girls sold and forced into sex trade in India
The Straits Times

Thousands of girls sold and forced into sex trade in India

West Bengal a key trafficking hub, with more than 50,000 girls missing

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 07, 2024
Dua Lipa gets Singapore crowd 'levitating'
The Straits Times

Dua Lipa gets Singapore crowd 'levitating'

The words \"training season's over\" flashed on the screen as British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa took the Singapore Indoor Stadium stage on Nov 5 to kick off her Radical Optimism Tour.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 07, 2024
4 movies, 2 islands
The Straits Times

4 movies, 2 islands

Singapore film-makers look to Taiwan for funding, hands-on support, cultural kinship

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 07, 2024