Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) criticized the recent prisoner swap with Russia in an interview Friday.
“We are thrilled to have these prisoners back home, they should never have been taken prisoner in the first place,” Perry said in “Mornings with Maria”, from Fox Business.
“But let’s remember that there is another side to this equation,” he told presenter Maria Bartiromo. “Essentially, we exchange journalists for murderers and thieves, and it’s like exchanging a rifle for a spoon.”
On Thursday, the US and Russia participated in a major prisoner exchange that resulted in the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara-Murza, five Germans and seven Russians.
The exchange also resulted in the release of Vadim Krasikov, who had been arrested in Germany for a 2019 murder, by The Associated Press.
“These people should never have been taken hostage and prisoner in the first place, but this only encourages [Russian President] Vladimir Putin continues to broker these types of agreements and take our people prisoner to achieve these types of agreements,” said Perry.
On a Thursday’s statement, Biden said: “We celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsou and Vladimir and rejoice with their families.”
“We remember all those who are still unjustly detained or held hostage around the world. And we reaffirm our commitment to your families: we see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong,” Biden continued.
In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said: “No one is satisfied or doing somersaults here because Mr. [Vadim] Krasikov is now a free man.”
“That’s what negotiations are about,” Kirby continued.
The Hill reached out to the White House.
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