Russia-US prisoner swap: Biden hails relief of returning Evan Gershkovich in historic exchange
US president Joe Biden was surrounded by the families of those that have been released today as he spoke from the White House
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Your support makes all the difference.US president Joe Biden has described the “relief” he felt as three US citizens and one green card-holder were finally freed from Russian captivity today.
Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza are among the 16 prisoners freed from Russian captivity, the rest of which will be returning to Europe. In return, Russian murderers and cyber terrorists have been returned to Moscow.
Speaking from the White House alongside the families of the four that had been freed back to the US, Biden said: “This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here. It’s a relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who have been praying for this day for a long time.”
He added that “friendship and diplomacy” had been key to the exchange.
“The deal that made this possible was the feat of diplomacy and friendship. Friendship, multiple countries helped get this done. They joined difficult, complex negotiations at my request, and I personally thank them all again.”
Biden worked on Evan deal ‘literally an hour’ before dropping out of presidential race
A senior administration official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity said that the exchange is the product of a long process that has taken full advantage of Biden’s strong relationships with world leaders and has involved Biden’s full attention throughout, including on the day he shocked the world by announcing that he was standing down from his re-election bid.
“Literally an hour” before Biden released the announcement that he was withdrawing his candidacy, the official said he was on the phone with his Slovenian counterpart “urging them to make the final arrangements and to get this deal over the finish.”
“This exchange is not by accident. It really is the result of a heck of a lot of leadership by President Biden and by the strength of relationships … it also shows the power of alliances and partnerships, and why investing in alliances and partnerships really does matter and can convey what we would consider … tangible and concrete dividends,” the official said.
Biden hails ‘diplomacy and friendship’ as key to hostage swap
US president Joe Biden has hailed “diplomacy and friendship” as the keys to today’s prisoner swap with Russia, which was years in the making.
Speaking from the White House, surrounded by the families of the three US citizens, as well as green card-holder Vladimir Kara-Murza, who were rescued today, he said: “Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval Office. They’re out of Russia.
“Earlier today, they’re flown to Turkey, and soon there’ll be wheels up on their way home to see their families.
“This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here. It’s a relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who have been praying for this day for a long time.
“The deal that made this possible was the feat of diplomacy and friendship. Friendship, multiple countries helped get this done. They joined difficult, complex negotiations at my request, and I personally thank them all again.
“I thank them personally, and I thank them again. All told Russia has released 16 prisoners. Eight Russians 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, and seven Russian citizens who are political prisoners in their own country.”
Biden ‘relieved’ as prisoner swap ends ‘brutal ordeal’ for Evan Gershkovich
David Cameron: I am delighted by Vladimir Kara-Murza’s release
Former foreign secretary David Cameron has told The Independent he is “delighted” by the news that Vladimir Kara-Murza, the Cambridge-educated British-Russian dissident, has been released from Russian detention today,
The Independent revealed that Lord Cameron was meeting with Vladimir’s wife Evgenia and mother Elena in March.
“It was an honour to have met Vladimir Kara-Murza’s brave and determined wife, Evgenia, as Foreign Secretary,” Lord Cameron said.
“I am delighted by today’s news, meaning that they can be together again, with their family, after what will have been the most awful ordeal. I wish them well.”
We have some more comments from Biden’s speech
Below we have some more comments from US president Joe Biden on the prisoner swap that took place earlier today.
“This still would not have been made possible without our allies, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Turkey, they all stepped up, and they stood with us. They stood with us, and they made bold and brave decisions releasing prisoners being held in their countries who are justifiably being held, and provided logistical support to get the Americans home. So for anyone who questions allies matters. They do.
They matter today is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world, friends you can trust, work with and depend upon, especially on matters of great consequence and sensitivity like this, our alliances make our people safer, and we began to see that again today.
“Let me say this says a lot about the United States that we work relentlessly to free Americans who are unjustly held around the world.
“It also says a lot about us that this deal includes the release of Russian political prisoners. They stood up for democracy and human rights. Their own leaders threw them in prison. The United States helped secure their release as well.
“That’s who we are in the United States. We stand for freedom, for liberty, for justice, not only for our own people, but for others as well.”
Biden sings happy birthday to released prisoner’s daughter as she wipes away tears in emotional moment
Biden sings happy birthday to released prisoner’s daughter as she wipes away tears
Joe Biden sang happy birthday to the young daughter of a US prisoner released in a swap between the West and Russia on Thursday 1 July. US journalist Evan Gershkovich has been named as one of 26 prisoners exchanged in what is the largest swap since the Cold War. Another detainee, Aslu Kurmasheva, was also freed in the deal and his daughter, who turns 13 tomorrow, was in attendance at the White House as Mr Biden announced the news. The president took a moment to sing happy birthday to Miriam Butorin, and also shared some advice with her. “No serious guys until you’re 30,” he joked.
Harris to return to Washington to welcome Americans freed in prisoner swap, says source
US Vice President Kamala Harris will return to Washington from Houston to welcome Americans freed in a prisoner swap with Russia, a source familiar with the plan told Reuters on Thursday.
Harris, also the Democratic presidential candidate for November elections, was scheduled to return to Washington after delivering a eulogy at the Celebration of Life Service for late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston.
First picture shows Gershkovich, Whelan and Kurmasheva after swap
The first picture showing Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva after their release has been posted online.
Biden’s response to a question about Trump’s promises to get Gershkovich out
Who is Evan Gershkovich? The reporter falsely jailed by Russia at centre of US-Moscow prisoner exchange
Who is Evan Gershkovich? The reporter at the centre of US-Russia prisoner exchange
The Wall Street Journal reporter always felt the pull of the his parents’ homeland, believing his Russian language skills and knowledge put him in a unique position to explain the country to the outside world. But, as Chris Stevenson writes, he would end up convicted on trumped-up spying charges
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