Alsu Kurmasheva
US Celebrates Release of Gershkovich and Whelan as Largest Prisoner Exchange Since the Cold War Concludes
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan, who landed in the US after their release in a major prisoner swap with Russia, according to DPA.
The prisoners who were exchanged with Russia have returned to the USA
Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Evan Gershkovich are now on American soil following the largest prisoner exchange between the West and Russia.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed them at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
International community hails historic prisoner swap in Türkiye
U.S. President Joe Biden walking across the tarmac after greeting reporter Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., following their release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
The largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War – 24 people released
The prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, which took place on Thursday in Istanbul, resembled moments from the Cold War, complete with the dramatic setting of an isolated airport area.
From Russia, 16 people were released: four to the U.S. and 12 to Germany, one of whom was Belarusian.
Russia says awaits US response to prisoner swap proposals
Russia said Wednesday it was waiting for the United States to respond to its propositions regarding a prisoner swap, days before U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich was set to face trial in Russia.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested in March 2023 on espionage charges rejected by his family, employer and the White House as false.