I believe the reason Mr Whelan was not exchanged by the past President was due to the unwritten rule of not negotiating with terrorists. If as the Courthouse spouter suggests then the current administration should have been able to gain the release of both. Russia sees the weakness in this administration and will get more adamant on their demands. One prisoner they want released is a murderer held in a German prison. It also opens the door for more kidnappings of American citizens on foreign soil.