The biggest exchange of prisoners between the West and Russia since the end of the Cold War has brought Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich home on Friday, August 2.
According to CBS News, the historic swap of prisoners involved six countries, including the US, Russia, and Germany, and 24 prisoners, including three American citizens.
The Biden administration announced on Thursday that it has secured the release of three Americans: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva from Russia.
After landing back home, all three were greeted by US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris before meeting their families.
President Joe Biden wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “After enduring unimaginable suffering and uncertainty, the Americans detained in Russia are safe, free, and have begun their journeys back into the arms of their families.”
Moreover, under the terms of the agreement, Russia has released 12 political dissidents to Germany, and in return, it will receive its eight nationals.
Among the eight Russian nationals, three were being held in US prison, two in Slovenia, one in Poland, and in Norway.
