Today, we hear about the secret negotiations that led to an extraordinary prisoner swap on Thursday. Among the freed: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, other Americans, Russian dissidents – and a convicted assassin.

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On Thursday, the biggest exchange of prisoners since the height of the Cold War took place.

The quiet negotiations took months between the U.S., Russia and several European nations. Among the at least two dozen people freed was Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, detained in Russia on charges of espionage in 2023. Also, Paul Whelan, a former Marine who had been imprisoned in Russia for more than five years. Russian dissidents, along with a convicted Russian assassin, were also among those freed.

Host Martine Powers speaks with national security reporter Shane Harris about the buildup to this landmark prisoner swap, how it unfolded in these final hours and what the U.S. gave up to make it happen.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Sabby Robinson and Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell, with support from Reena Flores. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Jennifer Amur and David Herszenhorn.

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The story behind a landmark prisoner swap