Submission Statement: “Rejoice over captives’ freedom — but mourn the boost to the Kremlin’s business model.” While the recent prisoner exchange between the US and Russia is good for the individuals released, Edward Lucas argues that it effectively rewards Russia’s tactic of hostage diplomacy and encourages future hostage-taking. Western leaders’ limited time and energy would be better spent pressuring Germany to provide more military aid to Ukraine, rather than negotiations for prisoner swaps, as Ukraine continues to heroically resist Russian aggression but requires more assistance.
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Submission Statement: “Rejoice over captives’ freedom — but mourn the boost to the Kremlin’s business model.” While the recent prisoner exchange between the US and Russia is good for the individuals released, Edward Lucas argues that it effectively rewards Russia’s tactic of hostage diplomacy and encourages future hostage-taking. Western leaders’ limited time and energy would be better spent pressuring Germany to provide more military aid to Ukraine, rather than negotiations for prisoner swaps, as Ukraine continues to heroically resist Russian aggression but requires more assistance.