While loath to criticize any specific swap, current and former U.S. officials worry that strongmen like President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia are exploiting America’s willingness to horse-trade for its citizens.
“I worry about the incentive this gives nations to abduct Americans,” said Adam Hickey, a former deputy assistant attorney general in the national security division of the U.S. Justice Department.
Speaking of the trend toward hostage trades generally, he added: “I don’t see how this doesn’t lead to an escalation or increase” in the practice by foreign governments.
But practical alternatives are hard to come by, Mr. Hickey and other experts concede.
In response to Thursday’s deal, former President Donald J. Trump suggested that President Biden had set a “bad precedent” by paying too high a price to Mr. Putin.
Persons:
—, loath, Vladimir V, Putin, gunning, ”, Adam Hickey, Hickey, Donald J, Trump, Biden
Organizations:
U.S . Justice
Locations:
Russia, Moscow, Russian, Germany, Berlin