The top Republicans in the House and Senate expressed concern Thursday that the “costs of hostage diplomacy” will only increase in the aftermath of a major prisoner swap with Russia.
The top Republicans in the House and Senate raised alarm Thursday that the “costs of hostage diplomacy” will only increase in the aftermath of a major prisoner swap with Russia.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued the warning in a joint statement, which largely celebrated the deal between the US, Russia and several other nations that saw the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan, among other jailed Americans and Russian dissidents.
“The release of innocent Americans and Russian political prisoners from wrongful detention is encouraging news,” Johnson and McConnell wrote. “We eagerly await the return of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza to their homes and loved ones and will continue pressing for all Americans to be released.
