Biden and allies complete 26-person prisoner exchange with Russia Whelan and Gershkovich freed

The United States and allies complete the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, releasing 26 people across 7 countries in a deal brokered through Ankara, Turkey. Freed Americans include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges in Russia in 2023, and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who had been imprisoned since 2018. In exchange, the U.S. releases convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, whose release Germany had long refused, in a deal brokered partly by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Biden, Harris, and families of the freed Americans greet the returnees at Joint Base Andrews.