Biden and Harris embrace US inmates freed in exchange for Russia
Journalist Evan Gershkovich and two other Americans returned to US territory on Thursday following their release by Russia in a major prisoner swap, and both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embraced him.
Family and friends cheered as Wall Street Journal reporter Gershkovich, former US marine Paul Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva got off an aircraft and gave Biden and Harris hugs.
At Joint Base Andrews, close to Washington, Biden told reporters, “It feels wonderful, it was a long time coming.” He and Harris had welcomed the released detainees at approximately 11:40 p.m. (0340 GMT).
In the largest East-West prisoner exchange since the Cold War, they were among the two dozen captives freed earlier on Thursday.
Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian Kremlin critic who resides in the US, was the fourth prisoner to be released; he was going back to the US on his own.
In a spectacular exchange that took place on the airport tarmac in Turkey’s capital Ankara, a total of 10 Russians, including two minors, were exchanged for 16 Westerners and Russians imprisoned in Russia.
Partnerships have an impact. Regarding the agreement, which also includes Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Belarus on the opposite side, Biden stated, “They stepped up and took a chance for us.”
Following Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race, Harris—the presumed Democratic presidential nominee—hailed “an extraordinary day.”
According to US media, the released inmates and their families are now anticipated to go to San Antonio, Texas, for medical examinations and any necessary care at the Brooke Army Medical Center.
– Historical exchange
The most well-known inmate was Gershkovich, 32, who was arrested in Russia in March 2023 while traveling there for a reporting assignment. He was found guilty in July of spying charges, which the US repudiated, and was sentenced to 16 years in jail.
As he entered the runway, Gershkovich grinned and put his hands on his hips. He then gave Biden and Harris hugs and conversed with them for almost a minute.
In response to inquiries from other journalists about how it felt to be at last at home, he said, “Not bad.”
Before he arrived, Gershkovich’s family released a statement stating that they had “waited 491 days for Evan’s release.”
They said, “We can’t wait to give him the biggest hug and see his brave and sweet smile up close.”
In a mirrored event to be held in the US, Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier extended a hero’s welcome to the released convicts from his nation.
Among them was Vadim Krasikov, a Russian spy who was detained in Germany for killing a former Chechen fighter.
Putin replied, “I would like to congratulate you on your return to the motherland.”
– “Saved lives”
Following months of intense, top-secret discussions, the historic swap resulted in the release of Russians detained for espionage, murder, and other offenses.
Despite being “difficult,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz claimed that the trade had “saved lives.”
Twelve detainees in total, five of whom were German nationals, were accepted to be taken up by Berlin.
Rico Krieger, a German who was given the death penalty in Belarus due to espionage charges, is one of them; however, he was granted a reprieve this week.
Days after numerous detainees had vanished from the jail system, rumors of a deal had been circulating, but confirmation did not come until they eventually changed aircraft in Ankara.
“We crossed our fingers and held our breath,” stated Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor for the US.
The transaction marked the first between Russia and the West since December 2022, when prominent American basketball player Brittney Griner returned home in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
