By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Tears of pleasure flowed within the Oval Workplace the second households of prisoners comparable to Evan Gershkovich, freed by Russia within the largest such swap because the Chilly Conflict, first spoke by cellphone to their family members, a White Home video confirmed on Thursday.
“This is momma. Do you hear me? It’s your mom,” Gershkovich’s mom tells her son, a Wall Road Journal reporter, within the emotional two-minute video of the digital reunion, posted by President Joe Biden’s social media account on X.
“We just want to say how overwhelmed we are,” Biden tells the launched detainees because the households stand across 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 a part of the frilly multi-country trade that the White Home stated concerned 24 prisoners, together with Russian hitman Vadim Kasikov, launched 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 posted in regards to the deal, which was negotiated in secrecy for greater than a 12 months.
Within the video Biden tells relations the detainees have been launched and are heading to board the aircraft that can take them from Russia to america.
“No word is strong enough for this. I was sure I was going to die in prison,” Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza tells his household as they weep.
“I still think I am sleeping in my prison cell in Omsk instead of hearing your voice.”
