Janice R. Andrews
WASHINGTON — Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan touched down in the United States late on Thursday night, capping an incredible repatriation from Russian prisons following the biggest and most comprehensive prisoner exchange between the West and East since the Cold War.
The three Americans were transferred to Turkey after being freed from Russian custody, and at 11:37 p.m. they finally arrived at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington. They were met at the tarmac by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumed Democratic nominee, as well as family members who had visited the White House earlier in the day.
When asked how it felt to see the families reunited, Biden told reporters, “It feels wonderful, it was a long time coming.” Speaking to the media, Harris praised the president and described it as a “extraordinary day.” “This is a remarkable demonstration of the significance of possessing a president who recognizes the efficacy of diplomacy and fortifying alliances,” the speaker remarked. “You can tell by looking into the eyes of the families that this is an amazing day.”
After months of discussions, a historic prisoner swap involving 24 inmates from six different nations took place: 16 inmates in Russia were exchanged for 8 inmates in the United States, Germany, Norway, Slovenia, and Poland. The main compromise was the release of Russian hitman Vadim Krasikov from German prison.
In 2023, as tensions over the conflict in Ukraine escalated between the West and Russia, 32-year-old Gershkovich was arrested in Russia. The native of New Jersey was charged by Russian prosecutors with gathering intelligence for the CIA. Rejecting the accusations, Gershkovich, the Journal, and the US government claimed he was carrying out his journalistic duties.
On suspicion of espionage, Whelan, 54, was taken into custody in 2018. Whelan was employed by the consulting company BorgWarner as the head of global security at the time of his arrest. Whelan maintained he was set up and was only a tourist, but the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed he was captured “red-handed” in an act of espionage.
In exchange, Russian jails freed Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British-Russian dissident and US green card holder.
Whelan was the first person off the aircraft, and the president shook his hand shortly after they spoke. “Sir, how are you doing?” Whelan remarked as she greeted Biden, the pool report states. After giving Harris a firm handshake, they briefly spoke with one another. Before waving to the media and going to visit his sister Elizabeth, he gave hugs to Biden and Harris.
Following Whelan’s hug with his sister, Gershkovich was the next to exit the aircraft, to much applause from his fellow journalists. First, Harris welcomed Gershkovich, who extended his hands in greeting. The Wall Street Journal writer moved to face Biden to shake his hand and have a conversation with the president after the two embraced and exchanged some remarks. Then Gershkovich turned to face his family. Ella Milman, his mother, who had been fighting for his release for more than a year, rushed over to him. They kissed one other’s cheeks as he lifted her off the ground and held her in his arms. Then he turned to face his father, giving him a cheek kiss and an embrace.
Kurmasheva alighted from the aircraft last and briskly hugged the president as she descended the stairs. Biden raised his forehead to meet hers as they conversed. She continued talking to Harris after that. Kurmasheva’s daughters Bibi and Miriam Butorin raced to embrace their mother, shrieking with delight as they touched her. Pavel Butorin, her husband, looked like he was dabbing away tears as his girls saw their mother again.
This speaks to me about the core of what makes our nation who we are. In the end, Biden told reporters, “it really is about families and personal relationships.” The president underlined that only diplomacy and having allies will allow for the Americans’ release. Additionally, Biden sent Russian President Vladimir Putin a single word: “Stop.”
Whelan returned to talk with Biden following his meeting with his sister. It seemed as though the president removed his American flag pin and put it on Whelan’s lapel. As he made the exchange announcement earlier on Thursday, Biden remarked, “The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship.” “Anyone who doubts the importance of allies should know that they do. They are important.”
Harris referred to the incarceration of Gershkovich, Whelan, and the other inmates as “an appalling perversion of justice” and added that they had “incredible courage in the face of atrocious and devastating circumstances.”
Not long after his return to the United States, Whelan talked with media. He claimed to be in good health although a little worn out. Former Marine Whelan claimed to have sung the American national song every day while he was detained. Following his family meeting, Gershkovich proceeded to the press, where he was greeted with cheers from over a dozen Wall Street Journal reporters and other media representatives. “Evan! “How does it feel to be home at last?” exclaimed a reporter as he approached. “That’s not bad,” Gershkovich answered. “It feels good.”
Bringing the inmates home is a difficult process, according to Harris. “We never stopped fighting for their release,” Harris told reporters in Houston on Thursday afternoon prior to boarding Air Force Two. The deal’s primary discussion point was the release of President Vladimir Putin’s deceased Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, who passed away in a Russian jail in February, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The Gershkovich family thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Biden and his administration, and Gershkovich’s Wall Street Journal colleagues in a statement made before to the return journey home. “After 491 days of waiting for Evan’s release, words cannot adequately express how today feels. We can’t wait to give him the largest hug and get a close-up look at his courageous and endearing smile. Taking care of Evan and getting back together is now the most crucial thing. We are relieved and happy for Paul and Alsu’s families today because no family should have to go through this,” the family stated.
