' the delicate operation and now the debate will come in the coming days and weeks about the costs and benefits on both sides. we saw vladimir putin hugging the russians, similar images where you are, i think we can see another motorcade that is pulling injust behind you, i assume, that must be president biden is, as you say, vice president harris is already arrived? . �* , president harris is already arrived? . v . arrived? that's what we believe- _ arrived? that's what we believe. that _ arrived? that's what we believe. that does - arrived? that's what we | believe. that does now, president biden, coming to the tarmac, the families with him so, yes, it's getting very, very close to the moment that we will soon hearing the role of the plan that is brought them back from turkiye. with regard to the point you are making about moscow and the sense of victory on that side,

too, that is a consideration for the biden white house, the consideration for him as president and for vice president harris because of course, they had to make sure that germany, for example, was prepared to give up an assassin from the sfe, that was unjustly germany, not an easy case to make but one that was done, i think, in part as a favour for the german chancellor to the biden white house.— biden white house. turkiye -la ed a biden white house. turkiye played a role _ biden white house. turkiye played a role in _ biden white house. turkiye played a role in this, - biden white house. turkiye played a role in this, didn't| played a role in this, didn't they? played a role in this, didn't the ? ~ , , played a role in this, didn't the ? , ~ , played a role in this, didn't the? , , they? turkiye is key, partly because of— they? turkiye is key, partly because of its _ they? turkiye is key, partly because of its nature - because of its nature struggling east and west, like that, but because he can maintain relations and back channels open to vladimir putin, that is always an important role when it comes to the delicate negotiations and discussions of this nature. so, yes, it has been a multicountry operation that involved as

well, slovakia, norway, poland, so, yes, it is complex to carry that off. that i think is why president biden was so constant in mentioning the allies, neighbours and friends, that's what he believes has made this possible. he was specifically in his announcement, referring to allies in saying that this only happens through friendship, he said that for anyone who questions why allies matter, he said this is why. so, i think i was in part, i thinly bailed attack on former president trump who doesn't see his support, the biden administration support for ukraine as worth the cost. so thatis ukraine as worth the cost. so that is not something that president biden agrees with, nor does he agree with the fact

that the trump campaign and president trump believes that the us should play a far smaller role in aid of and all of these things have fed in and it just of these things have fed in and itjust makes it more extraordinary that this moment is happening, it's against the backdrop of the war in ukraine thatis backdrop of the war in ukraine that is astonishing moment, diplomacy has been achieved. to stay with us, we're looking at images of the presidential motorcade, the beast, which is pulling out behind you in the distance there, i bring in some other international reaction we've had to today's news, canada's prime ministerjustin trudeau saying that the release of the prisoners who'd been held in russia was immense relief, he described the group unjustly detained by russia and said that they are freedom was long overdue. he said these men and women are rejoining their families and loved ones, the fight for free political expression in russia is far from over. we also heard from the chief of the european

council charles michelle who praised the release of the group though he said were unjustlyjailed by the russian regime. just remind us, we talk a lot about evan gershkovich, the wall streetjournal reporter but remind us who else is on that plane returning today. is on that plane returning toda . , ., is on that plane returning toda . , . ~ ., today. there is paulwhelan, the ex-marine _ today. there is paulwhelan, the ex-marine who - today. there is paulwhelan, the ex-marine who was - today. there is paulwhelan, - the ex-marine who was arrested the ex—marine who was arrested five years ago when in russia for a wedding. he had long—standing friendships and had been going backwards and forwards to russia for many years and so, his arrest that the relationships he had were painted by the russian authorities as part of espionage and he in essence was a spy. something that he has roundly and consistently denied as has his family. his twin brother was a particularly vocalin brother was a particularly vocal in that regard for fusing

to let enter the conversation i think other than a trial was held with a man that had nothing to do with espionage. the other person in front —— also was a woman that was a russian—american radio journalist, she has been held for around about a year and a few months. on the idea of not having declared as a foreign agent. that is the defence that was against her, again, her family so that she was home for a family emergency and not any questionable nature of what's going on until. i think is a real sense for the families of their loved ones which are simply much bigger game of geopolitics, incredibly difficult to deal with that day in and day out, knowing that some of the sentences were 16 years and fearing the

possibility that it might take more of a decade to get them out. the longest in the case of the three people at all on your way was paul whelan with five years. i way was paul whelan with five ears. , , , ., years. i will 'ust pause you there years. i willjust pause you there because _ years. i willjust pause you there because if _ years. i willjust pause you there because if you - years. i willjust pause you there because if you can i there because if you can probably hear, you are right there, we are showing. on the screen of the plane as is coming into land. i don't know what you can see from where you are but i'm certain that excitement is building? it is. these are — excitement is building? it is. these are the _ excitement is building? it is. these are the moments - excitement is building? it is. these are the moments that| excitement is building? it is. - these are the moments that the families have waited so long to see, the plan approaching now. and of course, the president waiting for this moment to, it's a hugely important politically as well. the timing of it could be better in a sense for vice president harris. it comes with 100 days for november's vote and i think it will be difficult for the

trump campaign to paint as a capitulation to putin. they will no doubt try to do that and suggest that what was given up and suggest that what was given up in exchange for these prisoners was to hire a candidate in managing the entire situation. i think would get inspect to hear a lot in those terms as we get closer to november's vote and certainly vice president harris is going to make the most of her role in brokering the deal and the fact that it brokering the deal and the fact thatitis brokering the deal and the fact that it is of course being so welcomed by the families themselves and needless to say those involved. do stay with us, remind viewers who are just joining us, wondering what on the screen, that is a plain, as you can see, coming close now to the runway, we see many plays land, joint base but this is a moment in history, our

plane carrying american detainees released by russia as part of a large scale prisoner swap touching down, as you can see, just now, in maryland, joint base andrews, on board the journalist, joint base andrews, on board thejournalist, evan the journalist, evan gershkovich. ., ~ ., ., gershkovich. former marine paul whelan, gershkovich. former marine paul whelan. three — gershkovich. former marine paul whelan, three american - gershkovich. former marine paul whelan, three american citizens | whelan, three american citizens and also, leading kremlin critic and green card holder vladimir curra more as an as our plane comes into land, you can only imagine the relief that the families who have been campaigning for their loved ones to return home and in some cases for years now seeing that moment as our plane finally taxis in with their loved ones. returning. we still got my colleague, will grant there, well, that plane out, touching down and what were expecting next is president biden and

vice—president, kamala harris to greet them of the aircraft? that's right. i think you really point out the sense of emotion that the families must be feeling now. what a world when few days the must of hard, we understand that evan gershkovich�*s mother knew about 48 hours ago, and so ever since then, she must�*ve had her heart in a mouth because it's not entirely clear in those remaining hours if things will still go the way that you hope now, of course, it could be clear, their back on us soil, thatis clear, their back on us soil, that is the moment that politically the biden administration wanted to see more than anything, the families wanted to see and to be able to hug the relatives, hold them close and welcome them home. have them safe and back on us soil. we them home. have them safe and back on us soil.— back on us soil. we watched our lane back on us soil. we watched our plane there _ back on us soil. we watched our plane there are _ back on us soil. we watched our plane there are joint _ back on us soil. we watched our plane there are joint base, - plane there are joint base,

andrews, similar details that we've got coming in about what happens to those returnees who have been detained for so long now, they will of course be meeting the president and vice president, the also have the opportunity to spend time with theirfamilies but we their families but we understand that they will then fly to the brooke army medical centre, that's in san antonio, texas, where they will undergo health screening, evaluated for trauma and just to their return, dobby given all of that with the help of the us military and this trip to the base which has been reported by american media. standard practice for americans who seem to have been wrong detained overseas and four captors who have been screened there including brittany greiner who was jailed in russia, former soldier travis king who was jailed in north korea and former soldier boy birder who was amended by the taliban in afghanistan. i'm stilljoined

afghanistan. i'm still joined by afghanistan. i'm stilljoined by my colleague will grant to was atjoint base andrews, we touched on there when i explained i would be happening to those americans who are freed, the trauma that they must be going through and they will need time to process what they've gone through because they've gone through because they've been detained for years in many cases. they've been detained for years in many cam-— in many cases. that's right. just to think _ in many cases. that's right. just to think through - in many cases. that's right. just to think through the . in many cases. that's right. i just to think through the sham trials to the arrest themselves into the sham trials into the sentencing, into the appeals they came up against kangaroo court, into the day in, day out inside harsh prison conditions and understands, weeks and months go by years in paul whelan with perhaps a gnawing sense that you're getting forgotten that you're no longer a priority. those can obviously leave huge scars on anyone and

i think the thing that they were most scared from journalist, from everybody waiting will be patients, time to recover, time to be left alone, time to be with their families and as of when they're ready to tell the stories, no doubt they will do. i ready to tell the stories, no doubt they will do.- doubt they will do. i think what was _ doubt they will do. i think what was quite _ doubt they will do. i think what was quite telling - doubt they will do. i think l what was quite telling when doubt they will do. i think . what was quite telling when i spoke to the assistant editor of the wall streetjournal earlier, that's the publication that evan gershkovich worked for was just how tricky it was for was just how tricky it was for them because they were not just reporting on the story but they were the story as well and a reminder in a way of the challenges around press freedom in russia. i challenges around press freedom in russia. ., challenges around press freedom in russia. . ., ., ., in russia. i mean, all ma'or news outlets d in russia. i mean, all ma'or news outlets have i in russia. i mean, all ma'or news outlets have been h in russia. i mean, all major- news outlets have been through some version of having our held around the world and in bbc examples, it is an awful thing to happen, notjust colleagues

but friends but when it does happen, it affects the entire organisation, the entire newsroom and those people who have to work on it as a new story but i think it is, when it works out well, positively a story of daylight today and evening like tonight when those journalist are here to see their friends, journalist are here to see theirfriends, to journalist are here to see their friends, to see their colleagues, step off display behind me and notjust back onto us soil but into the arms of his family and his friends, you think what a moment that must feel like for his relatives who have waited, with hope, who had the hopes dashed, build back up again, dashed again, the constant cycle and yet this time it's come to fruition at the prisoners are home, back on us soil and will soon be hugging theirfamily. we arejust looking at soon be hugging theirfamily. we are just looking at the shop behind you, you can see the plan will be looking at a shot as that plane now is sort of taxi behind you and the door will surely open and we will

see those americans who are free from russia back on american soil, of course, the steel in total, three to 24 prisoners were being held in six countries, 16 detainees from the west and aid who are returning to russia and we saw scenes of celebrations in russia as those russians return home and just pointing out what is going on behind you, will, a lot ofjournalist air, running towards the plane, i as you know part of the presidential motorcade of the presidential pool and then, i think we can see president biden and vice—president harris, walking towards the aircraft. this is a huge moment for them and of course, for the families of those who have been held and of

course for the colleagues. and... listening infora moment, just silence as we see president biden and vice—president kamala harris approaching a plane. we are waiting now, of course, for evan gershkovich, both

journalists, former marine paul whelan and there they are. coming off the plane. that's paul whelan, the first to step off the plane there, greeted by presidentjoe biden and vice—president, le harris. mr whelan, of course, former marine, to listen to those she is there. —— lets have a listen to those cheers they are. applause and relief, of course, for friends and applause and relief, of course, forfriends and family applause and relief, of course, for friends and family of paul whelan there. the first to be back on american soil. got a

hug there from the president now, paulwhelan, spent hug there from the president now, paul whelan, spent 2043 daysin now, paul whelan, spent 2043 days in a russian prison. an incredible amount of time to be detained. there you are, evan gershkovich, a hug with vice—president, lara's there and a smile as well that we saw. ——, le harris. as presidentjoe biden. an emotional moment words can't describe one must be feeling, let's listen to the applause now. —— kamala harris. woo! evan!

and he is — they both look remarkably composed and relieved, given what they've been through and of course, i'm sure both desperate to give their families a sure both desperate to give theirfamilies a hug as sure both desperate to give their families a hug as well as speaking to... that you have it, what a moment. can only guess his mother. who of course has been tireless, that his father there in their campaign, keeping it in the headlines as we've been discussing to ensure that this story was not out of the headlines there and then you have the third american alsu kurmasheva journalist as well, also receiving a hug from

president biden. a poignant moment. alsu kurmasheva another generalist shaking the hand of the vice president kamala harris. so, that the americans now... there she is, embracing herfamily, it's this moment is that a really difficult to provide commentary for because you can willie not explain what the families must be feeling right now. —— because you cannot really explain. the weeks, they have been waiting for this moment. you can see it with the parents, you have paul whelan in the sense of their and alsu kurmasheva with her

family, already noted with their families and you family, already noted with theirfamilies and you can family, already noted with their families and you can see president and the vice president looking on as well. as we were discussing earlier, this is a huge moment, politically as well for president biden, we know that his term in office is wrapping up his term in office is wrapping up in a few months time. kamala harris with a likely democratic nominee. not sure what is happening here, joe biden touching a pen or something — make the touching opinion —— attaching a pen to paul whelan�*s shirt. just trying to see what's happening they close up.

just a reminder, justa reminder, if just a reminder, if you're joining us, these are historic and incredibly emotional scenes there as the plane carrying american detainees who were released by russia as part of a large—scale prisoner swap, touchdown, to listen to president biden. # let's have a listen. i asked them to do some things that were against the immediate self—interest and very difficult for them to do. for germany and slovenia, they came in at the last minute and answer you what, the chancellor was great. he was incredible.

inaudible. was great. he was incredible. inaudible— inaudible. look, it has been the case of — inaudible. look, it has been the case of all _ inaudible. look, it has been the case of all history. - inaudible. look, it has been the case of all history. my - inaudible. look, it has been the case of all history. my job the case of all history. myjob is to make sure that they don't get them and if they do, we get them back. i don't buy this idea that they will let this people rot in jail. idea that they will let this people rot injail. we idea that they will let this people rot in jail. we set out all the notifications, to all the other countries and our citizens, for the countries for what to do and whatnot citizens, for the countries for what to do and what not to do and you have to pay attention. we have more work to do. this is an extra _ we have more work to do. this is an extra ordinary _ we have more work to do. this is an extra ordinary day. - we have more work to do. this is an extra ordinary day. and i'm _ is an extra ordinary day. and i'm very— is an extra ordinary day. and i'm very thankful for our presidents and what he has done on this_ presidents and what he has done on this entire career but in particular, as it relates this families— particular, as it relates this families and these individuals,

what _ families and these individuals, what is — families and these individuals, what is been able to do to bring _ what is been able to do to bring the allies together on many— bring the allies together on many issues but in particular this— many issues but in particular this one _ many issues but in particular this one. this isjust a short and — this one. this isjust a short and hairy— this one. this isjust a short and hairy testament to the importance of having a president who will understand the power of diplomacy and understands the strength that rests— understands the strength that rests and understanding the significance of diplomacy and strengthening alliances. this is incredible day. the families and their— is incredible day. the families and their eyes. we is incredible day. the families and their eyes.— is incredible day. the families and their eyes. we have to make sure... inaudible. _ and their eyes. we have to make sure... inaudible. it's- and their eyes. we have to make sure... inaudible. it's not- sure... inaudible. it's not about trust, amended, i know in the things that i toke about his relationship with foreign policy with other countries. you've heard me say it before,

it matters. who you trust. that's how this guy down. thank you. that's how this guy down. thank ou. ~ , �* that's how this guy down. thank ou. �* , �* i'm that's how this guy down. thank yom— i'm very- you. inaudible. i'm very concerned _ you. inaudible. i'm very concerned about, - you. inaudible. i'm very concerned about, i- you. inaudible. i'm very concerned about, i had i you. inaudible. i'm very concerned about, i had a| you. inaudible. i'm very - concerned about, i had a very direct meeting with the prime minister today and we have the basis for a ceasefire, we should move on it and we should move on it now. is should move on it and we should move on it now.— move on it now. is the chance for a ceasefire _ move on it now. is the chance for a ceasefire ruined - move on it now. is the chance for a ceasefire ruined after- for a ceasefire ruined after the — for a ceasefire ruined after the assassination? - for a ceasefire ruined after the assassination? it- for a ceasefire ruined after the assassination? it hasn't heled. the assassination? it hasn't helped. that's _ the assassination? it hasn't helped. that's all _ the assassination? it hasn't helped. that's all i - the assassination? it hasn't helped. that's all i will- the assassination? it hasn't helped. that's all i will say| helped. that's all i will say right now. thank you. that's

president — right now. thank you. that's president joe _ right now. thank you. that's president joe biden, - right now. thank you. that's president joe biden, kamala presidentjoe biden, kamala harris, the vice president walking away, we heard from them there, having the success of the player must see and strengthening alliances with america's allies, his now going up america's allies, his now going up onto the aircraft, i'm still joined by mike colley, will grant, in front of the plane a joint base andrews, just describe what you are seeing and hearing there, we see the emotion on camera, the family seeking selfies, together, hugging, crying, but what you like to see it close—up? ! what is like to seeing it close—up? he comes evan gershkovich to read his colleagues from the wall streetjournal, we can hear say a few words from him by clearly, he smiling, beaming, overjoyed see his colleagues, what an experience has been through, notjust over the past 48 hours when it became clear that he would be

making it back to us oil but over the past 500 days and now it's hugs and embraces with his journalistic colleagues and of course, you heard what president biden and kamala harris had to say, but it was interesting the way kamala harris prays president biden so forcibly saying it showed the importance of having the president who understood the power of diplomacy, our reference no doubt to the campaigning coming ahead of november's vote but to what extent, the politics is to one side, slowly deceiving, simply in place for celebrations and images like this with journalists who have been detained for over a year, the other two prisoners on this flight and those others who are mainly in germany after they were released from russia. huge moment of history and

diplomatic history, political history and if president biden wanted to achieve one thing after he made the announcement that he was leaving the race, first, of course and foremost it would be brokering a peace deal but i would suspect that this moment came pretty quickly on the heels. it's important to him and to his legacy to achieve this and not left at four weather takes over after the election in november. now, i can see the election in november. now, i can see from _ the election in november. now, i can see from where _ the election in november. now, i can see from where i'm - i can see from where i'm looking at my feet so that evan gershkovich was making some remarks to his colleagues, i don't think the microphone was strong enough to pick those up by clearly, looking relieved and of course, you never expected to be the story he was the one who always reported on it until he was detained. the other and of the tarmac, i can see president biden, here is

with us, the family having a conversation with them and paul whelan as well. then you have evan gershkovich, hugging his journalists, colleagues, beaming after he was held and we had earlierfrom president biden and vice—president harris is also there, president biden saying that this was a real example of successful diplomacy and strong alliances because as we've been saying, that is involved a number of other countries, turkiye played a role, germany played a pivotal role, germany played a pivotal role in this as well, a number of western countries came together to broker the steel and of course, this isjust as much about human connection as it is anything else, the politics of course is secondary to everyone on the tarmac right

now, paulwhelan, a to everyone on the tarmac right now, paul whelan, a former marine, evan gershkovich there and alsu kurmasheva back home on american soil atjoint base andrews, they touchdown, that 15 minutes ago, greeted off the plane by president biden and vice—president harris, there's no doubt that this a huge moment in history and a huge moment in history and a huge moment in history and a huge moment in international paloma c. evan gershkovich there making a phone call while the cameras points at him. and as president biden said earlier, there is, the largest prisoners were between the western russia has been held as a feet of diplomacy. president biden and vice—president kamala harris. thank you for watching our

continuing coverage. this is bbc news. live from london, this is bbc news. back home — three americans and a kremlin critic who were being held in russia arrive on us soil as part of the biggest prisoner swap deal since the cold war. this is the scene at andrews air force base where president biden has come to greet them. the body of the hamas political leader ismail haniyeh, who was assassinated in iran on wednesday, is now in qatar where he'll be buried later. more questions for the bbc over its handling of the huw edwards scandal. the culture secretary asks the corporation to see it can recoup any of his pay.