03:49Mandatory credit: The White House
US President Joe Biden hailed the unprecedented prisoner swap with Russia, which saw the return of journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, as a 'feat of diplomacy' while speaking at the White House on Thursday.
"Multiple countries helped get this done. They joined a difficult, complex negotiations at my request," the president said.
"All told, Russia has released 16 prisoners. Eight Russians who are being held in the West will be sent home as well. These 16 prisoners from Russia that Russia has released include four Americans, five Germans, seven Russian citizens," he continued.
Biden described the moment as an 'incredible relief', confirming the released detainees were en route to the US after departing from an airport in Ankara.
"Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone," he said. "Soon, there'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families."
The US president thanked allies "Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey," claiming the deal "would not have been made possible without" them.
"They made bold and brave decisions. Released prisoners being held in their countries who are justifiably being held," he said. "Today is a powerful example of why it's vital to have friends in this world."
After his speech, Biden was hit with a barrage of questions, with one journalist asking if the president would now be willing to 'speak with Putin directly'. "I don't need to speak with Putin," he replied.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist, and Whelan, an ex-US Marine, were arrested in Russia in March 2023 and December 2018, respectively.
On June 19, Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a strict regime penal colony on espionage charges. Whelan was found guilty in June 2020 on charges of espionage and was also sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Russian-American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was convicted of spreading false information about the Russian military and sentenced to six and a half years in prison in July 2022.
The three were part of a historic prisoner swap between Moscow and five Western countries, announced on Thursday, with 26 detainees released and returned to their countries. In addition, American green card holder and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza was also granted freedom and flown to Germany.
Sixteen prisoners held in Russia and ten people, including two minors, in the US, Norway, Germany, Poland and Slovenia were released from jails as a part of the exchange.
'I don't need to speak with Putin!' - Biden praises 'feat of diplomacy' in prisoner swap
US President Joe Biden hailed the unprecedented prisoner swap with Russia, which saw the return of journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, as a 'feat of diplomacy' while speaking at the White House on Thursday.
"Multiple countries helped get this done. They joined a difficult, complex negotiations at my request," the president said.
"All told, Russia has released 16 prisoners. Eight Russians who are being held in the West will be sent home as well. These 16 prisoners from Russia that Russia has released include four Americans, five Germans, seven Russian citizens," he continued.
Biden described the moment as an 'incredible relief', confirming the released detainees were en route to the US after departing from an airport in Ankara.
"Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone," he said. "Soon, there'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families."
The US president thanked allies "Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey," claiming the deal "would not have been made possible without" them.
"They made bold and brave decisions. Released prisoners being held in their countries who are justifiably being held," he said. "Today is a powerful example of why it's vital to have friends in this world."
After his speech, Biden was hit with a barrage of questions, with one journalist asking if the president would now be willing to 'speak with Putin directly'. "I don't need to speak with Putin," he replied.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist, and Whelan, an ex-US Marine, were arrested in Russia in March 2023 and December 2018, respectively.
On June 19, Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a strict regime penal colony on espionage charges. Whelan was found guilty in June 2020 on charges of espionage and was also sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Russian-American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was convicted of spreading false information about the Russian military and sentenced to six and a half years in prison in July 2022.
The three were part of a historic prisoner swap between Moscow and five Western countries, announced on Thursday, with 26 detainees released and returned to their countries. In addition, American green card holder and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza was also granted freedom and flown to Germany.
Sixteen prisoners held in Russia and ten people, including two minors, in the US, Norway, Germany, Poland and Slovenia were released from jails as a part of the exchange.
Mandatory credit: The White House
US President Joe Biden hailed the unprecedented prisoner swap with Russia, which saw the return of journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, as a 'feat of diplomacy' while speaking at the White House on Thursday.
"Multiple countries helped get this done. They joined a difficult, complex negotiations at my request," the president said.
"All told, Russia has released 16 prisoners. Eight Russians who are being held in the West will be sent home as well. These 16 prisoners from Russia that Russia has released include four Americans, five Germans, seven Russian citizens," he continued.
Biden described the moment as an 'incredible relief', confirming the released detainees were en route to the US after departing from an airport in Ankara.
"Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone," he said. "Soon, there'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families."
The US president thanked allies "Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey," claiming the deal "would not have been made possible without" them.
"They made bold and brave decisions. Released prisoners being held in their countries who are justifiably being held," he said. "Today is a powerful example of why it's vital to have friends in this world."
After his speech, Biden was hit with a barrage of questions, with one journalist asking if the president would now be willing to 'speak with Putin directly'. "I don't need to speak with Putin," he replied.
Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal journalist, and Whelan, an ex-US Marine, were arrested in Russia in March 2023 and December 2018, respectively.
On June 19, Gershkovich was sentenced to 16 years in a strict regime penal colony on espionage charges. Whelan was found guilty in June 2020 on charges of espionage and was also sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Russian-American Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva was convicted of spreading false information about the Russian military and sentenced to six and a half years in prison in July 2022.
The three were part of a historic prisoner swap between Moscow and five Western countries, announced on Thursday, with 26 detainees released and returned to their countries. In addition, American green card holder and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza was also granted freedom and flown to Germany.
Sixteen prisoners held in Russia and ten people, including two minors, in the US, Norway, Germany, Poland and Slovenia were released from jails as a part of the exchange.