“The crew felt just like the wind had been taken out of our sails,” the senior US official added.
By coincidence, Gershkovich’s mom and father have been assembly with Sullivan on the White Home that very same day. It is “going to be a bit bit extra of a rocky path,” he advised them.
The breakthrough got here throughout Oval Workplace talks between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Biden in April.
“Chancellor Scholz responded to the president saying, ‘For you, I’ll do that,'” added the US official.
Biden on Thursday thanked Scholz, praising the “daring and courageous” selections by allies.
And as soon as the deal was outlined, a cautious choreography ensued.
Russia fast-tracked a trial for Gershkovich, which ended with him receiving a 16-year jail sentence – however which behind the scenes indicated that Russia was making ready for the swap.
Lastly, the White Home ceremony on Thursday introduced this diplomatic – and intensely private journey — to a head.
Noting that it was the thirteenth birthday of Kurmasheva’s daughter, Biden requested the assembled members of the family and journalists to sing “completely happy birthday” – maybe the happiest doable.
