John Bolton dismisses link between prisoner swap and US election

Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton said he thinks the deal to swap U.S. and Russian prisoners set “a bad precedent” but does not believe the deal was tied to the presidential election, like some Republicans, including vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), have claimed.  

The historic prisoner swap resulted in three Americans being released from Russia — journalist Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who has dual U.S.-Russia citizenship — among other prisoners, in exchange for the release of several Russians, including Vadim Krasikov.

“I don't think it's necessarily connected to the election. I don't even think it's connected to the Democratic Convention coming up in three weeks,” Bolton told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “I think Putin wanted Krasikov back.” 

“I think that's the factor that's most important to him. And if he thought he could do it with a good enough deal, when it came up, he took it,” Bolton added. 

Vance and other Republicans have claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin made a deal with the U.S. now because he is afraid the former President Trump will win the election and force the release of prisoners without a deal. 

“But we have to ask ourselves: Why are they coming home? And I think it’s because bad guys all over the world recognize Donald Trump’s about to be back in office, so they’re cleaning house,” Vance said. “That’s a good thing, and I think it’s a testament to Donald Trump’s strength.”

The White House and President Biden have also dismissed Vance and other Republicans' claim, with national security adviser Jake Sullivan saying he “does not follow” when reporters asked him about Vance’s claim. 

During his remarks Thursday announcing the release, Biden responded to a reporter’s question about Trump by asking, “Why didn't he do it when he was president.” 

Biden also told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Thursday that he would have gotten “it done" even if he was seeking a second term. 

“You got me for at least another 90 days or so,” he added. 

Bolton dismissed Trump's and Republicans' claims as “typically unprovable” but also slammed the deal. 

“Let‘s be clear, this was a bad deal,” Bolton said. "It sets a bad precedent. It violates a rule too often that we don‘t swap for innocent American hostages."

Bolton warned that the deal “sets the groundwork for more Americans being used as bargaining chips.” 

“It's a totally unfair and really immoral swap of innocent Americans for Russian criminals,” he added. 

Trump has also slammed the deal as a "win for Putin."

“This deal that was made today, I think it’s wonderful that Evan’s coming back. I think it’s great. But these deals are so bad. These deals are going to lead to tremendous kidnappings,” he added.

As part of the prisoner swap, Russia freed three Americans and one green card holder as well as a group of Russian dissidents. In exchange, they received eight prisoners held in the West.