[COMMENTARY/WATCH] Biden Negotiates Prisoner Swap With Russia That Trump Said "Only He" Could Do

Two Americans were part of a larger group released from a Russian prison after months of lengthy negotiations between the U.S. and Russia behind closed doors, it was announced Thursday.

Donald Trump had publicly bragged that "only" he could convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to release journalist Evan Gershkovich and Marine Paul Whelan, and only if he was re-elected in November.

Instead, it was Still-The-President Joe Biden, the master of foreign policy thanks to decades of experience on his record, who negotiated their release in what's being touted as the biggest prisoner exchange between Washington and Moscow since the Cold War.

Whelan, Gershkovich, and another prisoner, Alsu Kurmasheva (a Russian-American journalist for U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty who was arrested in Russia in 2020) were “falsely accused of being spies,” President Biden said.

As part of a six-nation deal, Gershkovich and Whelan were released along with 22 others.

Speaking from the White House while standing with their families, President Biden thanked U.S. allies Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey for helping in what he described as a “feat of diplomacy” in negotiating the exchange with Russia.

“They stood with us," President Biden said of America's allies. "They made bold and brave decisions, released prisoners being held in their countries who were justifiably being held, and provided the logistical support to get the Americans home."

Among those returned to Russia in exchange was hitman Vadim Krasikov, who had been in a German prison since 2021. The release of Krasikov was the biggest concession to bring Gershkovich, Whelan, and the others home.

President Biden called their convictions in Russian court “show trials” and said they were held for “absolutely no legitimate reason.”