Russia Releases US Marine Trevor Reed in Prisoner Exchange
AllSides Summary
On Wednesday, Russia released U.S. Marine Trevor Reed in a prisoner exchange for convicted Russian drug trafficker Konstantin Yaroshenko, who had already served a long portion of his prison sentence.
Reed had been imprisoned for three years in Russia; he was sentenced to nine years in prison in July 2020 for endangering the "life and health" of Russian police officers in a 2019 altercation after a night of heavy drinking. He is reportedly being released in ill heath, with active tuberculosis. Yaroshenko was convicted in 2011 of smuggling cocaine in planes to destinations in South America, Africa, and Europe and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The prisoner swap comes as tensions run high between Russia and the U.S., with Russia's invasion of Ukraine entering its 63rd day. Other Americans remain jailed in Russia, including corporate security executive Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner.
Media from all sides reported that the prisoner exchange is not seen as a change in the U.S. government's condemnation of Russia's war on Ukraine.
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From the Left
Russia releases US Marine vet as part of prisoner exchange
Russia and the United States have carried out a dramatic prisoner exchange, trading a Marine veteran jailed by Moscow for a convicted Russian drug trafficker serving a long prison sentence in America, both countries announced Wednesday.
The surprise deal involving Trevor Reed, an American imprisoned for nearly three years, would have been a notable diplomatic maneuver even in times of peace, but it was all the more extraordinary because it was done as Russia’s war with Ukraine has driven relations with the U.S. to their lowest point in decades.
But while the prisoner...
From the Right
Russia frees jailed US Marine Trevor Reed in exchange for convicted Russian drug trafficker
The U.S. and Russia have carried out a prisoner swap Wednesday, exchanging Trevor Reed – a Marine veteran jailed in Moscow – for a Russian drug trafficker who has been serving time in America, a senior U.S. official told the Associated Press.
The deal comes as tensions between U.S. and Russia are running high, with Moscow's bloody invasion of Ukraine in its 63rd day.
"Today, we welcome home Trevor Reed and celebrate his return to the family that missed him dearly. Trevor, a former U.S. Marine, is free from Russian detention," President Biden said...
From the Left
American Trevor Reed released from Russia in prisoner swap 
American Trevor Reed, a US citizen and former Marine who had been detained in Russia since 2019, has been released in a prisoner swap.
The release ends a nearly three-year ordeal for Reed, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in July 2020 for endangering the "life and health" of Russian police officers in an altercation. Reed and his family have denied the charges against him.
Reed's release will not impact the US approach to the war in Ukraine, senior administration officials said.
"I'm going to try not to cry,...
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