Gershkovich, Whelan Welcomed By President Biden, VP Harris As They Land In US

WASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Bernama-dpa) -- US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed journalist Evan Gershkovich and former US marine Paul Whelan as they landed in the US following their release as part of a major prisoner exchange with Russia.

A White House live feed showed Biden and Harris greeting Gershkovich, Whelan and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva as they disembarked a plane which landed at Joint Base Andrews just after 11.30 pm on Thursday (0330 GMT Friday), reported German news agency (dpa).

Russia, Belarus and several Western countries exchanged a total of 26 prisoners at Ankara airport in an unprecedented operation involving  Turkey's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT). 

In return for the release of political prisoners and critics of the Kremlin, Germany, the US and partner countries released actors from Russia suspected of espionage in addition to a man who was serving a life sentence in Germany for killing an exiled Chechen in broad daylight in a central Berlin park in 2019.

Meanwhile, in Cologne, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described his meeting with prisoners released in the major multi-nation swap as "very moving". 

Scholz said that many of the prisoners had not expected their release and were still filled with emotion at the sudden freedom they were experiencing after landing at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

"Many feared for their health and even for their lives," Scholz said.

"That is why it is also important that we have now provided them with this protection here."

Two aircraft with a total of 13 people had landed at Cologne/Bonn Airport from Ankara, where the prisoner exchange took place. Five Germans are among those released as part of the swap. Three more released prisoners flew directly to the US. 

Scholz had interrupted his holiday and also flown to Cologne for the meeting. 

Russia, Belarus and several Western countries exchanged a total of 26 prisoners at Ankara airport in an unprecedented operation involving Türkiye's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT). 

In return for the release of political prisoners and critics of the Kremlin, Germany, the US and partner countries released actors from Russia suspected of espionage in addition to a man who was serving a life sentence in Germany for killing an exiled Chechen in broad daylight in Berlin in 2019.

After meeting with the released prisoners, Scholz said the exchange was the right decision.

"If you had any doubts about that, then you lose them after talking to those who are now free," Scholz said.

"The fact that those who have to fear for their lives because they have stood up for democracy and freedom can also count on the protection of others is part of our self-image as a democratic, humanist society."

-- BERNAMA-dpa