The Americans freed from prison in Russia have landed on US soil for an emotional family reunion – and were greeted by President Biden and VP Kamala Harris.
Two dozen people were released during the largest prisoner swap between Washington and Moscow in post-Soviet history on Thursday, including three Americans and one US citizen.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva landed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland at 11:38pm.
They were finally reunited with their families in very emotional scenes after a four-hour flight from Moscow to Ankara before another nine hours in the air to reach the US.
Whelan was first to step off the jet and was greeted by Biden and Harris at the base of the stairs.
Next was Gershkovich, who hugged the President, then told the dozen Wall Street Journal employees gathered on the tarmac in solidarity with their returning colleague: “I’m home.”
Kurmasheva ran over to hug her two children and husband in a tear-jerking moment.
After greeting the returning Americans, Biden said the release together was due to “trust” and “relationships.”
“It feels wonderful. Long time in coming. I was absolutely convinced we could get it done. I meant it when I said — alliances make a difference. They stepped up and took a chance for us and it mattered a lot,” the President told reporters.
Biden confessed the “toughest call” was not for the US but its allies, praising Slovenia and “incredible” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for doing things “against their immediate interest.”
Speaking on the tarmac, Harris added: “I’m very thankful for our president and what he has done here but in particular as it relates to these families and these individuals what he has been able to do to bring the allies together on many issues, but in particular, this one.
“This is just an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who will understand the power of diplomacy, and understands the strength that rests in understanding the significance of diplomacy and strengthening alliances.”
Earlier in the day, Biden said the American’s “brutal ordeal” was over as they were granted freedom.
“This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here,” Biden said. “It’s a relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country, who’ve been praying for this day for a long time.”
Harris also revealed she spoke to Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was wanted as part of the swap but died in February.
“Some of them worked with Navalny to combat corruption and build a free, democratic Russia,” she tweeted.
“I thanked Yulia for her courage in continuing her husband’s work and reaffirmed my commitment to stand with those fighting for freedom in Russia and around the world.”
Journalist Gershkovich was arrested in 2023, while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison before being released as part of the swap.
Authorities claimed that he was gathering secret information for the United States, though this has been dismissed as entirely unfounded by Washington.
He was freed from a Russian jail alongside Michigan corporate security executive Whelen, who was arrested in 2018 after traveling to Russia for a wedding.
He was convicted of espionage charges, which he and the US said were false.
