Released Citizens from Russian Prisons Welcomed by Biden and Harris Upon Arrival in the U.S.

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, and Kamala Harris, the Vice President, welcomed citizens who were released from imprisonment in Russia as part of a major prisoner exchange agreement at the Andrews military base in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., late on Thursday, August 11, U.S. time. The families of the released individuals were also present at the ceremony at Andrews Airport. Mr. Biden expressed his happiness to reporters about the return of these citizens, stating that his job was to ensure their return to the country. Kamala Harris described Thursday as an 'extraordinary day' that resulted in the return of four individuals to the U.S. due to the President's belief in the power of diplomacy. Earlier on Thursday, Turkey announced the largest prisoner exchange agreement between Russia and the U.S. since the Cold War, which involved the exchange of 26 prisoners across seven countries between Russia and Belarus on one side, and the U.S. and four European countries on the other. Among the released prisoners were Evan Gershkovich, a journalist, Paul Whelan, a former Marine, Alsu Kurmashova, a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, all U.S. citizens, as well as Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian journalist with U.S. permanent residency. According to a statement from the Turkish government, the prisoners were held in prisons in the U.S., Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus, and were transferred by seven planes, including two from the U.S. and one from each of the other countries, except Belarus. The statement also mentioned that 10 of the exchanged prisoners were sent to Russia, 13 to Germany, and three to the United States. Shortly after the news of the prisoner exchange broke, the U.S. President confirmed in a statement that Gershkovich, Whelan, Kurmashova, and Kara-Murza, who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia, were on their way back to the United States. In his statement, Biden thanked some of the U.S. allies, including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey, for their support during the 'difficult and complex' negotiations that led to the release of these prisoners. Biden emphasized at the White House, with the families of these prisoners beside him, that this significant prisoner exchange was the result of cooperation among several countries and another testament to the importance of working with the U.S.'s international partners. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, stated in a statement that the 'release of innocent American and Russian political prisoners' who were unlawfully detained was encouraging, writing: 'We eagerly await the return of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmashova, and Vladimir Kara-Murza to their homes and loved ones, and we will continue to work for the freedom of all Americans.' The statement noted: 'Their unjust captivity is a reminder of the long-standing fear of the Russian government of free people and a free press.' Mike Johnson and Mitch McConnell emphasized the hostility of Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, towards the U.S., stating: 'Without serious action to prevent further hostage-taking by Russia, Iran, and other hostile countries towards the U.S., the costs of hostage diplomacy will continue to rise.'