A Triumphant Biden Welcomes 3 Freed Americans Home

The former Marine poked his head out of the jet and then lifted his hand in salute. The Wall Street Journal reporter greeted his waiting colleagues with a wide grin and open arms. The Russian American editor rushed into the arms of her sobbing daughter.

In the middle of the emotional scene that unfolded on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews late Thursday was President Biden. Hours earlier, Mr. Biden had triumphantly announced that his administration’s diplomatic efforts had secured the release of three American prisoners held by Russia. Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva deplaned and were greeted by cheers, applause and family members.

“It feels wonderful,” Mr. Biden told reporters. “I was absolutely convinced we would get it done. I meant what I said: Alliances make a difference.”

The enthusiastic greetings that played out over about half an hour in the dark of a steamy Maryland night offered a moment of unbridled joy in a world of foreign affairs that has more often thrown fire and chaos at the president. And for Mr. Biden, they provided a seeming vindication of the type of patient, multilateral diplomacy that he proudly practices but that has so far proved unable to halt wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Jake Sullivan, Mr. Biden’s national security adviser, had held back tears as he told reporters earlier in the day that a multicountry agreement, which released 24 prisoners from the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Russia, had been a “vintage Joe Biden” act of statecraft.

As he took question after question from waiting reporters, Mr. Biden seemed intent on reminding everyone what exactly that meant.