President Biden and Vice President Harris welcomed three U.S. citizens released from Russia in a prisoner swap, who arrived at Andrews Air Force Base late Thursday night.
The three Americans, journalist Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and journalist Ars Kurmaseva, landed at the base outside Washington, DC, at about 11:45 pm.
When the plane landed, Biden and Harris were waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Whelan got off first, and Biden greeted her with, “How are you?” They all talked and hugged. Then Gershkovich got off the plane. Harris and Biden embraced I talked to them and they also greeted their families.
Ms. Kurmasheva then left the room to speak with Mr. Biden and shake hands with Ms. Harris. After Mr. Biden wished his daughter a happy birthday, she ran up to Ms. Kurmasheva and said, “I can’t believe you’re here.”
After greeting the family, Whelan returned to Biden and shook his hand again. Several Wall Street Journal employees I’m waiting for my colleague, Gershkovich.
The three former detainees arrived from Turkey, where a prisoner exchange took place.
Biden had met earlier at the White House with Gershkovich, Wehlan, Kurmasheva and the families of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was also released as part of the deal. The president and his families spoke with the releases from the Oval Office on their way to Turkey, and the families flanked Biden on either side of him as he spoke to announce the exchange.
The President stressed the importance of cooperation with allies in the liberation effort, particularly Slovenia, Norway and Turkey.
Harris also spoke Thursday before leaving Texas to return to Washington.
“Today, despite their suffering, I take great comfort in knowing that their horrific ordeal is over,” she said, adding that the administration “will never stop fighting” for the release of other Americans held overseas.
