Tears of Joy in the Oval Office: Emotional Reunion as Prisoners Return

Families of prisoners, including Evan Gershkovich, freed by Russia in a significant swap since the Cold War, emotionally reunited via phone calls. President Joe Biden shared moments of joy and relief, expressing the gratitude of loved ones. The complex, multi-country exchange involved 24 detainees, negotiated for over a year.

Tears of joy flowed in the Oval Office as families of prisoners such as Evan Gershkovich, freed by Russia in the biggest swap since the Cold War, first spoke to their loved ones by phone, as shown in a White House video released on Thursday.

"This is momma. Do you hear me? It's your mom," Gershkovich's mother said to her son, a Wall Street Journal reporter, in the emotional reunion video posted on President Joe Biden's social media account on X. "We are overwhelmed," Biden told the released detainees as their families stood around the presidential Resolute Desk. "You've been wrongfully detained for a long time, and we are glad you are home."

Russia freed Gershkovich, ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, and others on Thursday as part of an elaborate multi-country exchange that the White House said involved 24 prisoners, including Russian hitman Vadim Kasikov, released by Germany. "Every parent, child, spouse, and loved one who joined me in the Oval Office today has been praying for this day for a long time," Biden remarked regarding the deal, which had been negotiated in secrecy for over a year.

In the video, Biden informs family members that the detainees have been released and are heading to board the plane taking them from Russia to the United States. "No word is strong enough for this. I was sure I was going to die in prison," Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza told his family as they wept.

"I still think I am sleeping in my prison cell in Omsk instead of hearing your voice."

(With inputs from agencies.)