- Biden on release: "It's a wonderful feeling"
Following the historic prisoner exchange between Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed their fellow Americans back on U.S. soil at Joint Base Andrews near the capital, Washington. "It's a wonderful feeling," Biden said to reporters. "I was absolutely convinced we could do this."
Biden and Harris embraced Evan Gershkovich, the "Wall Street Journal" correspondent freed on spying charges, and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan after they disembarked from the plane. "This is an incredible day," Harris said, noting the joy on the faces of the families. The prisoner exchange, she said, was a "remarkable demonstration of the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy."
The plane, which took off from Ankara, Turkey, landed Thursday night after more than nine hours in flight, just before midnight local time. On board were Gershkovich, Whelan, and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
Russia, Belarus, and several Western countries, with the involvement of Turkey's intelligence agency MIT, exchanged a total of 26 prisoners at Ankara's airport. In exchange for the release of political prisoners and Kremlin critics, Germany, the U.S., and partner countries allowed a convicted murderer and prisoners accused of espionage to go free from Russia. Thirteen people landed in Cologne that night.
Biden praised the role of diplomacy, stating, "The prisoner exchange we just witnessed is a testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy, particularly in the United States of America." Harris added, "We are thrilled to welcome Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan back to the United States of America, where they belong with their families and loved ones."
