Biden calls Russia prisoner swap deal that freed WSJ's Gershkovich, Whelan a 'feat of diplomacy'

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President Biden called the prisoner swap deal with Russia Thursday that secured the release of The Wall Street Journal's Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others a "feat of diplomacy."

"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 were flown to Turkey, and soon they'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families," Biden said during an address from the White House. "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've been praying for this day for a long time."

"The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship. Multiple countries helped get this done," Biden added. "They joined a difficult, complex negotiation at my request. And I personally thank them all again."

"All told, Russia has released 16 prisoners. Eight Russians who were being held in the West will be sent home as well. The 16 prisoners from Russia that Russia has released include four Americans, five Germans, seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners in their own country," Biden continued.

LIVE UPDATES: PRISONER SWAP DEAL WITH RUSSIA

Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges, talks with his lawyers from inside a defendant's cage while in Moscow in April 2024.

The president said earlier in a statement released by the White House that "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."

Biden said, "Russian authorities arrested them, convicted them in show trials and sentenced them to long prison terms with absolutely no legitimate reason whatsoever. None."

"Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over," Biden also said.

President Biden reaches out to hold hands with Elizabeth Whelan as he delivers remarks on a prisoner swap with Russia from the State Dining Room of the White House, on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (AP/Evan Vucci)

"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," Biden continued.  

WSJ REPORTER EVAN GERSHKOVICH RELEASED BY RUSSIA IN PRISONER SWAP; PAUL WHELAN ALSO BEING FREED

"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," he added. 

U.S. veteran Paul Whelan is being freed after years in Russian captivity. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

Gershkovich, 32, was arrested on March 29, 2023, while reporting on a trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg and was accused of espionage. The Biden administration declared him "wrongfully detained," and The Wall Street Journal and U.S. government both emphatically denied the charges, calling them absurd on their face. 

Whelan languished in Russian custody for years. A well-placed source told Fox News that Turkish intelligence officials played a key role in mediating the prisoner swap.  

The last time Russia exchanged prisoners with the U.S. was December 2022, when it freed basketball player Brittney Griner in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia for smuggling and possessing cannabis. Like in Gershkovich's case, Griner's harsh sentence was viewed as Russia effectively taking an American hostage to obtain leverage over the U.S. 

President Biden spoke Thursday about the prisoner swap deal as hostage family members looked on. (AP/Alex Brandon)

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Thursday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken to Whelan, Gershkovich, and Kurmasheva, telling them he is "happy" they are on their way home.

It is the largest exchange of prisoners since the Cold War, and Fox News is told that one hour before Biden announced on July 21 that he was dropping out of this year's presidential race, he was on the phone with his Slovenian counterpart urging them to make final arrangements to get the deal over the finish line. 

Biden said Thursday during his speech that "It says a lot about the United States that we work relentlessly to free Americans who are unjustly held around the world. 

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"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 shoot them in prison. The United States helped secure their release as well. That's who we are in the United States," he added. "We stand for freedom and liberty, for justice, not only for our own people, but for others as well. And that's why all Americans can take pride in what we've achieved today."

Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich, David Rutz, Brian Flood and Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed to this report.