Journalist Evan Gershkovich and US marine Paul Whelan have been released from jail in Russia in the biggest prisoner swap with the West since the end of the Cold War. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are expected to greet the former prisoners after they land back on US soil. The massive prisoner swap, which took place in Turkey, is the product of intense negotiations between the US, Russia, Germany and other countries, led by US president Joe Biden and his national security team. Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza are among the 16 prisoners freed from Russian captivity, the rest of which will be returning to Europe. In return, Russian murderers and cyber terrorists have been returned to Moscow. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Subscribe: Find us on social: TikTok / @in
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