The Difficulty: The discharge of The Wall Avenue Journal’s Evan Gershkovich and others from Russian custody.
Wall Avenue Journal journalist Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and others had been lately launched from Russia (“Evan homecoming!” Aug. 2).
I’m glad to see them freed, as each American ought to be. In spite of everything, Whelan is a former Marine and veteran. I’m only a bit curious, if not infinitely mystified, by the politically handy timing of all this, given latest requires President Biden to step down.
Richard Oakes
Hollywood, Fla.
Odd how, mere months earlier than the 2024 presidential election, the Democratic regime manages to get Gershkovich and Whelan launched from Russian custody.
It took all of them this time to get Whelan out? Properly, voila: The Democrats wanted one thing to draw votes.
The Democrats definitely haven’t completed a lot within the final 4 years for the American folks. I’m pleased the boys are out, however I feel this prisoner-exchange deal was one thing to provide the Democrats a political increase in anticipation of the approaching election.
Brenda Hodgkiss
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Thank God that Gershkovich has lastly been launched from Russian custody, the place he was falsely held on costs of being an American spy.
Evidently our prayers have been answered. What a joyful reunion for him and his household as he enjoys freedom once more.
A message ought to exit to all People, whether or not journalists or not: It’s not protected to journey to Russia. In case you do, you danger being taken hostage and imprisoned for no legitimate purpose.
Might the prolonged time period that Gershkovich endured the hell of the Russian judicial and penal system by no means befall one other American ever once more.
Oren Spiegler
Peters Township, Penn.
Freedom is one thing to be cherished.
Simply ask Gershkovich, who had been held in Russian captivity for over 16 months, and former Marine Whelan, who had been held for greater than 5 years.
Each males most likely thought they’d by no means see their households once more, however now they’ve returned to US soil. People are continuously seen as bargaining instruments by hostile international locations, and they need to not journey to those locations underneath any circumstances.
Allow us to be glad about the return of those honorable males again to America.
Joann Frank
Clearwater, Fla.
After fortunately listening to of the latest hostage releases, I couldn’t assist however consider Russian election collusion.
The sudden launch and lack of clear data from the Biden administration additional again this principle. No shock then that Russia would like to cope with a laughing Vice President Kamala Harris reasonably than former President Donald Trump.
Steven Cassidy
Franklin Sq.
I’m overjoyed. On Aug. 1, People Whelan and Gershkovich had been launched in a prisoner swap from Russian captivity.
Nevertheless, Whelan, a straight white man and former Marine, was incarcerated on false costs for over 5 years.
Examine that to Brittney Griner, an African-American lesbian basketball participant who verifiably dedicated a criminal offense in Russia and was launched after simply 10 months in custody because the Biden administration went into overdrive to safe her freedom.
Till now, the Democratic Get together has prioritized gender, sexual orientation and race over every part else — particularly when a straight white man confronted years in a Siberian penal colony.
Scott Hammond
Boston, Mass.
Improbable — President Biden has secured a prisoner alternate for the discharge of a number of People held by Putin, together with Gershkovich, who was convicted after a sham trial and sentenced to 16 years in jail.
Sadly, the US needed to comply with launch some very unhealthy folks, amongst them a vicious Russian hitman. Maybe Biden can now flip his consideration to the People being held hostage by Hamas since its Oct. 7, 2023, incursion into Israel.
Barry Koppel
Kew Gardens
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