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Plane carrying Gershkovich, other freed prisoners, touches down in Maryland
The plane carrying prisoners freed from Russia in return for the release of Russian detainees, in the largest such exchange in decades, has touched down at Joint Airbase Andrews.
Sixteen people were freed from Russian custody, including the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Several other foreign citizens held in Russia and numerous political prisoners were also freed.
The exchange took place at Ankara airport on Thursday in a complicated operation in which planes arrived from and departed to multiple countries.
Among those freed by Russia are Gershkovich, the former US marine Paul Whelan and the journalist and joint US-Russian citizen Alsu Kurmasheva. Shortly after their release the US government put out the first picture of the three holding the stars and stripes.
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Here are some pictures from that emotional arrival:
Biden gave Paul Whelan the American flag pin from his lapel
From the Associated Press: On a warm, steamy night, the freed Americans lingered on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews to soak up the moment of their return to the US
They took selfies with family members and friends, shared hugs with Biden and Harris, patted loved ones on the back and smothered them with kisses.
At one point, Biden gave Paul Whelan the flag pin off his own lapel.
The motorcade is now leaving the airbase.
The Wall Street Journal’s editor-in-chief, Emma Tucker, called it a “joyous day”.
“While we waited for this momentous day, we were determined to be as loud as we could be on Evan’s behalf. We are so grateful for all the voices that were raised when his was silent. We can finally say, in unison, ‘Welcome home, Evan,’” she wrote in a letter posted online.
Joe Biden said it “feels wonderful” to welcome the freed Americans to US soil.
He gave special credit to countries including Germany and Slovenia for helping to make the global prisoner swap work, saying they agreed to difficult things that were “against their self-interests”.
Speaking on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, Biden rejected the idea that such swaps could lead to other Americans being detained. “I don’t buy this idea of ... let these people rot in jail because other people may be captured.”
Kamala Harris called the deal an “extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy”.
From the New York Times’ Katie Rogers: Evan Gershkovich is the last of the released prisoners to go to the motorcade. He declines to answer more questions. “Family time,” he says.
Here is more of what Harris had to say:
Vice President Harris: This is an extraordinary day and I'm very thankful for our president. This is an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy and strengthening alliances. This is an incredible day and you can see it… pic.twitter.com/wqiqylGsXn
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 2, 2024Harris says: “It’s a very good night.”
Biden told the released Americans “Welcome home” he says on MSNBC.
“My father used to say family is the beginning the middle and the end, it’s about who we are as a country”. To Putin he has this to say: “Stop.”
“To me this is about the essence of who we are as a country,” Biden said.
Then he made a joke about being president for another 90 days. “You’re stuck with me kid.”
Interviewed on MSNBC, Harris is careful to keep the spotlight on Biden:
VP Harris: "I'm very thankful for our president ... this is just an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy." pic.twitter.com/nmCpRjiY4X
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2024Gershkovich and Wall Street Journal editor in chief, Emma Tucker, are hugging now.
There are shouts of “The Journal is over here, the Journal is over here” and he walks over. Hugs all round – and then he takes a phone call. Weird day at work.
Gershkovich gives one of his colleagues a big hug – and is then interviewed.
The three freed Americans are standing around, chatting to family now. Alsu Kurmasheva’s family takes a selfie. The journalists are calling Gershkovich over.
Next up is Alsu Kurmasheva, who greets Biden and Harris, then runs to her children, taking them into her arms.
Gershkovich now walks up to his mother and hugs and kisses her, lifting her off the ground.
Next up is Evan Gershkovich, who puts his arm around Biden. The press pool cheers and whoops.
