Biden, Harris welcome three US nationals released in Russia prisoner swap deal

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greeted the three American nationals released by Russia in a historic prisoners-swap deal. The plane carrying Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

After touching down on US soil, the three nationals were welcomed by their family members and the POTUS. They were part of the 24 people freed under a prisoner swap deal between six countries. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a US green card holder and Kremlin critic was also released in the deal, however, he opted to go to Germany instead. As a part of the deal, Russia released 16 prisoners while the Western countries released eight Russians. The prisoners were traded on a tarmac in Ankara, Turkey, earlier Thursday.

Biden and Harris celebrate the release of prisoners

While speaking to the reporters present at the air base. Biden hailed the deal and termed it as a “new feat of diplomacy”. The POTUS mentioned that other countries made “difficult decisions” to get the deal done.

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“The toughest call on this one was for other countries because I asked them to do some things that were against their immediate self-interests — and it was very difficult for them to do," Biden told reporters late Thursday. Both Biden and Harris called the exchange “remarkable” and highlighted the importance of diplomacy and having strong allies.

“We’ve got more work to do. My job is to make sure, No. 1, they don’t get them,” Biden averred, referring to the countries imprisoning Americans. Meanwhile, Harris has lauded Biden and called the deal an “extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy.”

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Biden also mentioned how the deal was important to the families of the nationals as well. “My father used to say family is the beginning the middle and the end, it’s about who we are as a country”. To Putin, he has this to say: “Stop.” “To me, this is about the essence of who we are as a country”.

Biden also took time to joke about the fact that he had a limited time left in the office. You’re stuck with me kid,” he told Gershkovich as he will be president for another 90 days.