In a moment of profound relief and joy, three Americans landed back on U.S. soil following the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva were greeted with emotional reunions at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland late Thursday night.
Their return was marked by tears, hugs, and heartfelt embraces as they were welcomed by their families. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were present on the tarmac to personally greet the freed Americans. Whelan, the first to disembark, gave a salute before shaking hands with Biden and Harris. Gershkovich followed, embracing both leaders before reuniting with his parents. Kurmasheva rushed into the arms of her husband and daughters after greeting the President and Vice President.
Gershkovich addressed the media with a simple yet poignant statement: “I’m home.” This declaration brought a sense of closure to his colleagues at the Wall Street Journal, who had awaited his return for over a year.
President Biden, visibly moved by the reunions, symbolically placed his pin on Whelan’s lapel, emphasizing the significance of the diplomatic efforts that led to their release. “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,” Biden told reporters, highlighting the extensive international collaboration involved in the swap.
The return of the three Americans concludes what Biden described as a “brutal ordeal.” Whelan, 54, had been imprisoned in Russia since December 2018, while Gershkovich, 32, was detained for over a year. Both were convicted on espionage charges, which the U.S. State Department deemed wrongful. Kurmasheva, 47, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was detained in October 2023 on charges of spreading false information about the Russian army.
The complex prisoner exchange involved 24 detainees, with 16 individuals released from Russian custody, including five Germans and seven Russian political prisoners. In return, Moscow received former high-ranking FSB colonel Vadim Krasikov and several others accused of espionage or cybercrimes.
Biden hailed the agreement as a “feat of diplomacy” and acknowledged the critical roles played by allies such as Germany, Poland, Norway, Turkey, and Slovenia. “Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over,” Biden said in a statement.
Following their release, Gershkovich, Whelan, and Kurmasheva flew from Moscow to Ankara, Turkey, before making the 10-hour journey to the United States. They were accompanied by medics, a psychologist, and U.S. government officials, including representatives from the National Security Council and State Department. Upon arrival, they are set to undergo medical evaluations at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and have the option to participate in the Defense Department’s Post Isolation Support Activities (PISA) program to help readjust to life back home.
This landmark diplomatic achievement comes less than six months before Biden leaves office, marking a significant moment in his presidency.