WATCH Joe Biden's heartwarming gesture as he welcomes Paul Whelan at Joint Base Andrews

WASHINGTON, DC: In a moment filled with emotion and relief, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva touched down on American soil.

This marked the culmination of the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, as reported by CNN.

Their arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland was met with tearful embraces from family members and a heartfelt welcome from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Joe Biden makes heartfelt gesture with Paul Wheelan as he touched down on American soil

The plane carrying the returnees landed just before midnight on Thursday, August 1. Paul Whelan, the first to step out, saluted before shaking hands with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Evan Gershkovich followed, warmly embracing both leaders and then his ecstatic parents.

Kurmasheva rushed to her waiting family after exchanging greetings with Biden and Harris. Gershkovich quickly addressed the gathered media, sharing the simple but powerful words, "I’m home," a phrase his Wall Street Journal colleagues had longed to hear for over a year.

President Biden, visibly moved, observed the emotional reunions. In a touching gesture, he removed his pin and placed it on Whelan’s lapel, a moment Vice President Harris witnessed with a smile.

"It feels wonderful. Long time in coming. I was absolutely convinced we could get it done. I meant it when I said – alliances make a difference. They stepped up and took a chance for us, and it mattered a lot," Biden told reporters, reflecting on the extensive diplomatic efforts that led to the exchange.

The release of Whelan, Gershkovich, and Kurmasheva concludes what Biden described as a "brutal ordeal" for the three Americans and their families. The prisoners had endured harsh conditions during their detentions in Russia.

Whelan, 54, had been imprisoned since December 2018 after his arrest in Moscow, while Gershkovich, 32, had been detained for over a year. Both were sentenced on espionage charges, which the US State Department declared as wrongful detentions.

Kurmasheva, 47, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was detained in October 2023 on charges of spreading false information about the Russian army, accusations her family and employer vehemently denied.

The exchange also included Washington Post contributor Vladimir Kara-Murza, 42, among others.

A total of 24 detainees were involved in the swap, with 16 individuals released from Russian custody, including five Germans and seven Russian citizens imprisoned for political reasons. In return, Russia received former high-ranking FSB colonel Vadim Krasikov and several others accused of espionage or cybercrime.

This complex prisoner swap is a significant diplomatic victory and a defining moment for Biden, who is approaching the end of his term.

In a statement earlier that day, Biden praised the agreement as a "feat of diplomacy," acknowledging the collaborative efforts of US allies, including Germany, Poland, Norway, Turkey, and Slovenia.

Joe Biden draws praise online in wake of his recent poignant gesture

The poignant gesture by Joe Biden quickly spread across the internet, with many users praising him.

One X user wrote, "President Biden is one of the greatest American heroes in our nation's history." Another remarked, "Of course he did. Because it’s peak Biden. Absolute human."

A user expressed, "Holy shit, what a beautiful gesture. Brought me to tears. This is what leadership looks like." "The gesture is just so humane and what portrays a leader's humbleness," commented one user.

Another lauded him as "Best President of my lifetime, and in terms of his character, he’s also the best man to occupy the Oval Office since at least Jimmy Carter." A different user succinctly stated, "President Biden is a good man with empathy for people."

The praise continued, with another person describing Biden's actions as those of a hero, stating, "Because that's what heroes of America do." A user summed up the moment's significance, stating, "What a powerful moment. THAT is the true definition of a patriot."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.