WASHINGTON, USA: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embraced Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich and two other Americans at Joint Base Andrews on Thursday night, marking their return to the U.S. after being released in a major prisoner swap with Russia.
The dramatic exchange, described as the largest East-West swap since the Cold War, also saw the release of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.
The exchange involved a total of 26 detainees, with 10 Russians—including two minors—being swapped for 16 Westerners and Russians held in Russia. The swap, which occurred on the tarmac at Ankara’s airport, was a high-stakes negotiation facilitated with the involvement of several countries, including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Belarus. Russian Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, who also had U.S. residency, was released but returned separately to the U.S.
The high-profile nature of the swap was underscored by the release of Gershkovich, who had been imprisoned since March 2023 on espionage charges widely condemned by the U.S. Upon his arrival, Gershkovich, 32, shared a heartfelt moment with Biden and Harris. He had been sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison, and his release came after 491 days of captivity.
Gershkovich’s family expressed immense relief and joy at his return, eagerly anticipating reuniting with him. “We can’t wait to give him the biggest hug and see his sweet and brave smile up close,” they stated. The freed prisoners will now undergo medical evaluations and care at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The swap is notable not only for its scale but also for the historical context it represents. It’s the most significant exchange since the 2010 swap of 14 alleged spies and the first since the December 2022 return of U.S. basketball player Brittney Griner in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Previous major swaps, involving more than a dozen individuals, were conducted during the Cold War.
In the wake of the swap, U.S. officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, expressed relief and optimism. Sullivan noted the tense anticipation surrounding the negotiations, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the swap as a difficult but life-saving operation.
The prisoner swap reflects the ongoing complexities of international diplomacy and the high stakes involved in securing the release of detained nationals. The White House has hinted at even more ambitious negotiations that were considered before the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny earlier this year.
