Former Marine Paul Whelan and WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, among others, were freed from Russian detention in a prisoner swap and welcomed back to the U.S. by President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Key Points
Former Marine Paul Whelan and WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich among the released prisoners
Prisoner swap involved 24 individuals across multiple countries
Biden and Harris personally welcomed the freed prisoners at Joint Base Andrews
Pros
Successful negotiation for the release of American prisoners from Russia
Warm welcome and reunion with loved ones upon arrival in the U.S.
Recognition of the efforts made by President Biden and Vice President Harris
Cons
Details of the prisoner swap remain unclear
Challenges faced by the released prisoners during their detention in Russia