Putin has decided Trump can’t win. It’s the only reason for the massive prisoner exchange now, less than three months before the election. It was a regular talking point for Trump that, because of his “close relationship” with Putin, only he could get the hostages/prisoners released. Putin has pulled the rug from under him.
Like Reagan and the Iran Contra scandal, this was political theater. Reagan made a backdoor deal to NOT release the Iran hostages until he was President. It worked. Carter was seen as ineffectual and Reagan the hero.
Putin just took that away from Trump, giving Biden/Harris a major boost in the process.
When even Russia no longer supports you ……….