Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva have arrived in the US after being freed in a prisoner swap with Russia.
The swap, negotiated in secrecy for over a year, involved 26 people, including 16 moving from Russia to the West and 8 prisoners, plus 2 children, in the other direction.
The US citizens were greeted by friends, family, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
The deal required significant concessions from other countries, including Germany releasing Vadim Krasikov, a Russian serving a life sentence for murder.
President Biden praised the release, saying it was a “powerful example” of the importance of international cooperation.
The swap is the largest since the Cold War and includes the release of 7 Russian political prisoners.
A previous prisoner exchange between the US and Russia took place in December 2022, involving American basketball player Brittney Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted the 8 returning citizens at Moscow airport, including Krasikov.
Individuals Involved: Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kurmasheva have arrived in the US after being freed in a prisoner swap with Russia ¹.
Number of People Involved: The swap involved 26 people, including 16 moving from Russia to the West and eight prisoners, along with two children, in the other direction ¹.
Countries Involved: The US negotiated the swap with Russia, Germany, and three other countries ¹.
Significance: This is the largest prisoner swap between the US and Russia since the Cold War ¹.
Previous Swap: A previous prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow took place in December 2022, when American basketball player Brittney Griner returned to the US after 10 months in a Russian prison in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout ¹.
Reactions
President Joe Biden: Praised the release, saying it was a “powerful example” of the importance of international cooperation ¹.
Vice President Kamala Harris: Welcomed their release after what she said was an “appalling perversion of justice” ¹.
Russian President Vladimir Putin: Greeted the eight returning citizens at Moscow airport, including Vadim Krasikov, and said they would be honored with state awards ¹.
