Biden gave Whelan his American flag lapel pin.
Holocaust Museum’s Board
Asked by reporters what his message was for Vladimir Putin, Biden said, Stop.
It really is about personal relationships.
Evan Gershkovich greets his mother at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Its about having access to people you love.
Id still get it done even if I was seeking a second term, Biden said.
Youre stuck with me as a president for a while, kid.
Theres no way out.
You got me for at least 190 days.
So it didnt have anything to do with that.
Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years.
All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty.
Today, their agony is over.
The president plans to make a statement at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.
WSJ REPORTER EVAN GERSHKOVICH IS FREE, the Journal posted on their homepage at 11:39 a.m.
ET, having held off on news blasts until the swap was complete.
The WSJ reported that Gershkovich and other Americans left Russian aircraft at about 11:20 a.m.
ET at an airport in Ankara, Turkey.
He was sentenced last month to 16 years in a penal colony.
A total of two dozen prisoners were involved.
Neither the WSJ nor the U.S. State Department have confirmed the reports.
Other names on Politika.Kozlovs speculative list of potential releasees include Russian-UK political activist and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza.
Griner also vowed to keep campaigning for her U.S. compatriots still held in Russian jails.
