President Biden referred to the prisoner exchange agreement with Russia on Thursday, which resulted in the release of The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and others, as a “remarkable triumph of diplomacy.”
“Just moments ago, I had the privilege of speaking with the families from the Oval Office. They are no longer in Russia. Earlier today, they were flown to Turkey and will soon be en route to reunite with their families,” Biden stated during his address from the White House. “This is an immense relief for all the families gathered here, and it brings comfort to friends and colleagues across the nation who have been hoping for this day for a long time.”
“The agreement that made this possible is a remarkable feat of diplomacy and solidarity. Several countries assisted in bringing this about,” Biden continued. “They engaged in a challenging and intricate negotiation at my request, and I extend my personal gratitude to them all once again.”
“In total, Russia has released 16 detainees. Eight Russians held in the West will also return home. Among the 16 prisoners released by Russia are four Americans, five Germans, and seven Russian nationals who had been political prisoners in their own country,” Biden elaborated.
LIVE UPDATES: PRISONER SWAP DEAL WITH RUSSIA
Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, converses with his attorneys from within a defendants’ cage in Moscow in April 2024.
The president stated earlier in a White House press release that “three American citizens and one American green card holder who were wrongfully imprisoned in Russia are finally returning home: Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza.”
Biden declared, “Russian officials arrested them, found them guilty through sham trials, and imposed lengthy prison sentences without any legitimate basis whatsoever. None.”
“Some of these individuals have been wrongfully detained for years. They have all endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their suffering has come to an end,” Biden added.
President Biden, right, reaches out to hold hands with Elizabeth Whelan, left, while giving remarks on a prisoner exchange with Russia from the State Dining Room of the White House, on Thursday, Aug. 1, in Washington, D.C. (AP/Evan Vucci)
“I am thankful to our allies who stood with us during the challenging negotiations to secure this outcome — including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey. This highlights the importance of having trustworthy friends in this world. Our alliances enhance the safety of Americans,” Biden remarked.
WSJ REPORTER EVAN GERSHKOVICH RELEASED BY RUSSIA IN PRISONER SWAP; PAUL WHELAN ALSO BEING FREED
“And let me emphasize: I will continue to fight until every American wrongfully detained or held captive globally is reunited with their families,” he proclaimed.
U.S. veteran Paul Whelan is being released after enduring years of captivity in Russia. ( (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images))
Gershkovich, aged 32, was detained on March 29, 2023, while he was reporting from Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains and was accused of espionage. The Biden administration labeled him as “wrongfully detained,” and both The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government refuted the allegations, deeming them absurd.
Whelan had been imprisoned in Russia for years. A reliable source informed Fox News that Turkish intelligence officials played a crucial role in mediating the prisoner exchange.
The last prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia occurred in December 2022 when Russia released basketball player Brittney Griner in return for arms dealer Viktor Bout. Like Gershkovich, Griner’s harsh sentence was perceived as Russia taking an American hostage to leverage power over the U.S.
President Biden discussed the prisoner swap agreement as hostage family members looked on. (AP/Alex Brandon)
Biden remarked during his address, “This reflects a lot about the United States’ commitment to tirelessly fight for the release of Americans unjustly held worldwide.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“It also demonstrates our character that this agreement includes the release of Russian political prisoners. They advocated for democracy and human rights. Their leaders imprisoned them. The United States facilitated their release too. That defines us as a nation,” he concluded. “We advocate for freedom and justice, not only for our citizens but for others as well. Today’s accomplishments should fill all Americans with pride.”
Fox News’ David Rutz, Brian Flood, and Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report.
