Biden hails release of Gershkovich, Whelan and Kurmasheva from Russia: ‘Brutal ordeal is over’

Complex negotiations spanning over months finally led to a 24-person prisoner swap, one of the largest since the end of the Cold War — among the U.S., Russia, Germany and three other Western countries, on Thursday.

The Biden administration on Thursday announced it had secured the release of three American prisoners in Russia: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva.

Gershkovich, Whelan andKurmasheva, imprisoned by the Kremlin, were exchanged for Russians, including a convicted murderer, held in the US and Europe. In all, eight Russians were released in the swap deal, among which three werebeing held in U.S. prisons: Vadim Konoshchenok, Vladislav Klyushin and Roman Seleznyov.

Two Russians held in Slovenia, one in Poland and another in Norway are also headed home. They all were known to have suspected ties to Russian intelligence.

The prisoner exchangeis said to have taken place on Thursday on a tarmac in Ankara, Turkey.

During a White House briefing with the families of the US citizens incarcerated in Russia, President Joe Biden shared that they had spoken with the recently freed prisoners via phone, that they have left Russia and are heading to the US. He expressed his gratitude to the allies involved in the challenging negotiations.

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"Now, their brutal ordeal is over," Biden announced. “Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval Office. They’re out of Russia,” Biden said.

“The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship,” he said, adding, “Today is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world.”

“Our alliances make our people safer,” he said.

In his speech, Joe Biden stopped to lead everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" to 13-year-old Miriam, the daughter of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was freed as part of the exchange.

"Now, she gets to celebrate with her mom. That’s what this is all about, families able to be together again, but they should have been all along," said Biden.

"Thank you again to everyone who did their part. In just a few hours, welcome home, our fellow Americans. We’re looking forward to that, God willing, Thank you. And it’s a good day," Biden added.

The deal is a significant for the Biden administration, which has secured the release of more than 60 hostages or wrongful detainees from around the world over the past three years.

Whelan, who is the longest-held American detainee in Russia, was arrested in December 2018 when he traveled to the country to attend a friend's wedding. He was also charged with espionage and sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020.

Gershkovich, 32, was accused of espionage and kept behind bars for more than a year before a three-day trial after which a judge ordered him sent to a penal colony for 16 years.

Kurmasheva, a journalist based in Praguewho holds dual Russian and American citizenship, was detainedin June 2023, after visiting her mother in May. Russian authorities charged her with disseminating false information about Russia's military.

(With inputs from agencies)