Turkey adjusted timing of US-Russia prisoner swap to allow Biden to watch it live
Turkish officials mediating a nervy prisoner swap between the United States and Russia earlier this month coordinated the timing to allow Joe Biden to watch the exchange live on TV.
On 1 August, Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) orchestrated the exchange of 26 detainees from prisons in the US, Germany, Poland, Russia and other countries.
Among those released were Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, German mercenary Rico Krieger, Russian dissident Ilya Yashin and Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officer Vadim Krasikov.
According to security sources cited in the Turkish media, two meetings took place in Istanbul and Ankara involving representatives from all participating countries to coordinate the operation.
"Both the US and Russia chose Turkey as the venue for the exchange, expressing confidence in Turkey's disciplined and discreet handling of such operations,” reported Anadolu Agency.
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Ankara refrained from issuing any statements and conducted the entire operation covertly until the US and Russia released a joint statement on the exchange, the largest between the countries since the Cold War.
Turkish officials consider the exchange a significant success, demonstrating Turkey's importance in the West as the only Nato country trusted by Moscow.
Security sources revealed that in a phone call in July, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan asked Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin to begin the exchange at 5pm Turkish time (2pm GMT), allowing Biden to observe the operation live.
Turkey facilitated the exchange at Ankara Esenboga Airport, selected for its secure perimeter, while Biden monitored the entire operation via a live feed.
On 1 August, seven planes from the US, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Russia brought the individuals to Turkey.
Some prisoners were directly transferred between aircraft, while others were relocated to designated areas.
"MIT personnel conducted health checks and identification processes. Detainees from Russia changed from prison uniforms to clothes provided by the US,” Anadolu Agency reported.
Ten prisoners, including two children, were sent to Russia, 13 to Germany and three to the US.
After the exchange, Biden held a news conference where he personally expressed his gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In recent years, Turkey has facilitated several prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and hosted ceasefire talks on the war in 2022.
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