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The United States has agreed to a historic prisoner swap — the largest since the Cold War — with Russia and several other countries, the White House announced on Thursday.
President Joe Biden had a direct hand in the negotiations that lead to the release of 16 prisoners in Russia, including five Germans, seven Russian citizens held in their own country, and 4 Americans, the White House said in a press release.
The Americans include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was first detained in 2023 and sentenced to 16 years in prison in July on charges of espionage. Another notable prisoner included is former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018, and was also serving out a 16-year sentence on espionage charges.
The other prisoners who will be allowed to return to the US are Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Muza, who is a legal permanent resident of the US.
Read Biden's full statement on the release below.
Today, three American citizens and one American green-card holder who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia are finally coming home: Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza. The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy. All told, we've negotiated the release of 16 people from Russia—including five Germans and seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners in their own country. Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over. I am grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome— including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey. This is a powerful example of why it's vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend upon. Our alliances make Americans safer. And let me be clear: I will not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family. My Administration has now brought home over 70 such Americans, many of whom were in captivity since before I took office. Still, too many families are suffering and separated from their loved ones, and I have no higher priority as President than bringing those Americans home. Today, we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir and rejoice with their families. We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And reaffirm our pledge to their families: We see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.
