We don’t need the bombastic shouting of certain politicians because quiet diplomacy can work. The butcher Putin released a number of Americans and a few dissidents in exchange for his master assassin Vadim Krasikov, some Russians posing as nationals of other countries held in Norway and Germany, and two money launderers.
Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva were among those released and greeted by Biden and Harris aat Andrews Air Force Base. Convicted in sham trials as have been others in Russia, they are now back on U.S. soil. This effort involved us working with other countries in Europe to get Russian spies held by them released.
What this shows is that U.S. companies/organizations cannot trust Putin not to arrest their employees or, for that matter, any American in Russia. Putin is and ought to remain a pariah for more than his invasion of Ukraine, but sometimes you have to hold your nose and negotiate with the devil.
Prayer for the Day
God of the shorter days, be with us in the quiet mornings,
For the morning light comes later and later;
Now at the midpoint of summer, we think of the coming fall,
A time when the nights will be cooler.
May we be thankful, O Lord, for your grace
Encompassing our lives in community with each other.
In the name of the One who shares your grace with us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
This deal would not have been made possible without our allies Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey. They all stepped up, and they stood with us…So, for anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do. They matter.
President Joe Biden on the prisoner swap
Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.
George Orwell, novelist, critic (1903-1950)
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, praise befits the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre; sing melody with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to God a new song; play skillfully on the strings with loud shouts.
For the word of the Lord is upright, and God’s work is done in faithfulness.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of God’s steadfast love.
Psalm 33: 1-5