WATCH: Americans freed in Russian prisoner swap return to US | LiveNOW from FOX

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan landed back into the U.S. late Thursday night after a prisoner swap with Russia, the biggest in post-Soviet history. The multinational deal set about two dozen people free, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were among those who joined the families of the three Americans at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington D.C. Gershkovich was accused of spying in March 2023. Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive, was jailed in Russia on espionage charges that his family and the U.S. government have said are baseless. Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza were also released from Russian custody.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said earlier Thursday that the U.S. had been working on a deal to free Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny before he died earlier this year while imprisoned by the Russian government. Harris said she spoke on Thursday with Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya. Meantime, WNBA star Brittney Griner, who went through her own high-profile prisoner exchange with Russia in 2022 after she had been sentenced to nine years in jail for drug possession and smuggling, said she was "head over heels happy for the families."

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[carmenthong]

Those look like such heartfelt exchanges with the President and VP. They must be so grateful and happy to be free.

[naturalvee]

Thank you for covering this moment without any political bias. These Americans are home, these families united once again. That's all that matters. 🙏🏾

[MealTeam_]

This is a time to take politics HOME!!!! AMERICA!

[Jayson_G]

About time paul Whelan is Free God bless America 🇺🇸#1

[patriciaegan]

What a sight! Finally, Welcome Home.

[MauricioChang-mmsp]

Thank you Chief!!! Thank you VP!! this is what America is about 🇺🇸

[franceslynch]

I really hope people do not go to dangerous countries where they become pawns to be used as needed by autocratic leaders.

[CACar_Nation]

I’m glad she understands Biden understands the strength of understanding.

[emilycruz]

I am happy they are home. Why wasn't this done sooner?

[AmarieH]

I don’t care what anyone says, Mr. Biden is a good, decent & honorable man. We are lucky he even wanted the job & even luckier that he has done such a great job. Love him!❤

[mirnacollins]

This is how An American President makes America Better and Strong for all to see!!
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[penelopelgoss]

Hidden out of view... this should have been a MUCH BIGGER

[marilynful]

Thank goodness they didn’t come home on gurney’s or wheelchairs like the guy in Korea. Thanks Mr President.

[WestRec]

I’m so glad Trump called Biden/Harris out at the debate and they actually took action and got it done. I’m happy for them to be back and free. They wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t been called out in front of the entire nation.

[robinberry]

Prisoner swap? Why didn't we have more information about this?

[marilynful]

Finish your term Mr President you deserve the respect despite having a bully disrespecting you for four years has to be tough, but you have handled your job for America with grace and class.

[GetOffMyLawn]

So happy they are home! They should let the families greet them first and hug them! Especially the kids. When she yelled out Mommy and cried :(

[bolespal]

It must be election year, or else they would’ve gotten them out a long time ago.

[pnuttheclownh]

“The Problem Of Solving A Problem With A Problem Is Not A Problem, But When A Problem Solves A Problem Without Any Problem, Then The Problem Is Not At All A Problem. So Somethings With Problems Are Just Settled As Problems”.
KAMALA HARRIS

[DanielRoot-si]

Politics aside do think this is a campaigning deal then if not why didn’t Biden do deal 6 months ago?