A massive prisoner swap between Russia and the United States has been finalized, the White House announced on Thursday.
Among the Americans returning home are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Gershkovich has been released.
American citizen Alsu Kurmasheva and U.S. permanent resident Vladimir Kara-Murza were also freed from Russian custody, the White House said.
When asked by Scripps News’ Serena Marshall about why this prisoner swap was important, President Joe Biden responded, “My dad has a simple proposition. Family is the beginning middle and end… can think of nothing more consequential. Having lost family in a different way, not knowing what’s happening. It matters.”
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