In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, President Biden celebrated the release of several detained Americans through a multi-country prisoner swap, hailing the achievement as a testament to the power of international alliances. The exchange, involving seven countries, comes just 96 days before the upcoming Election Day, adding an intriguing dimension to the nation's political landscape.

During the announcement on Thursday, President Biden emphasized the diplomatic prowess and friendship that paved the way for the release of three American citizens and one green-card holder from Russian prisons. He took a veiled swipe at his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who had often criticized allies while championing an "America first" agenda.

Responding to a question about what he would say to Trump, Biden posed his own query, asking, "Why didn't he do it when he was president?" Within an hour, Trump criticized the exchange, claiming it set a "bad precedent." The moment highlighted how the intricate prisoner exchange became entangled in the highly charged political atmosphere ahead of Election Day.

Vice President Harris was credited by members of Biden's team for her contribution in facilitating the deal, a move aimed at bolstering her foreign policy credentials as she pursues her presidential campaign against Trump. Lawmakers commended the diplomatic efforts that led to the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. While Republicans mostly refrained from commenting, some raised concerns about the release of Russian criminals in exchange for unjustly detained Americans.

On social media platform Truth Social, Trump raised questions about the deal's terms, suggesting the U.S. may have received an unfavorable outcome. Trump falsely claimed that he had never paid cash to secure the release of hostages, disregarding the $2 million authorized for the return of American student Otto Warmbier from North Korea in 2017. The Trump administration's initial response to Paul Whelan's imprisonment was criticized by his family, who credited media attention for finally garnering government support.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan clarified that no money was exchanged in Thursday's deal and praised President Biden for his ability to build international relationships that facilitated the agreement. With less than six months remaining in office and challenges from within his own party, this successful prisoner exchange marks a major foreign policy achievement for Biden as he seeks to expand his legacy.

Under the terms of the exchange, Russia released a total of 16 prisoners, including four Americans, five Germans, and seven Russians, among whom were pro-democracy dissidents. The largest such international prisoner exchange since the Cold War also saw the release of a convicted Russian assassin from Germany and several Russian intelligence operatives held in the United States and Europe.

Experts suggest that this achievement serves as both a crucial part of Biden's legacy-building phase and a positive development for Vice President Harris. The release of detained Americans challenges one of Trump's key criticisms of Biden's foreign affairs handling, where he claimed that only he could secure the freedom of U.S. citizens held abroad.

Vice President Harris plans to join President Biden in welcoming Whelan and the other released Americans at Joint Base Andrews. Harris's role in the negotiations was hailed as instrumental, with her participation in a high-level meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Munich Security Conference highlighted as particularly significant. The conference provided a platform for Harris to advocate for the release of a Russian citizen serving a life sentence in Germany for the killing of a former Chechen rebel commander in Berlin.

As the prisoners return home, this prisoner exchange serves as a notable foreign policy achievement for President Biden, solidifying his commitment to cultivating alliances and strengthening the nation's standing on the global stage.