Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Sullivan has just revealed that there was "no direct engagement" with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the prisoner swap.

That doesn't mean, however, that there were no direct talks with Russian officials.

"There was extensive engagement with Russian officials," Sullivan said. "I'm not going to get into the details... having those sensitive channels enables us to produce results."

Asked about the impact that the prisoner swap could have on the conflict in Ukraine, Sullivan said that the US "does not see a link" between hostage negotiations and the war.

"One is really about the practical issue of producing this exchange," he said. "The other is a much more complex question."

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

As was the case with Biden earlier, Sullivan has just been asked about the decision to release an alleged assassin - Vadim Krasikov - as part of the deal.

Acknowledging the "fair question", Sullivan said that the White House "grappled" with the decision to release a "convicted criminal" to "secure the release of a US citizen".

"From our perspective, we have assessed and analysed that risk," Sullivan says. "We have judged... the benefit of reuniting families and bringing Americans home."

"The American president and the American government are going to do what it takes," Sullivan added.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Now I've moved into the White House briefing room, where an emotional National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is giving more details about the prisoner swap.

In his opening remarks, Sullivan - who is choking back tears - said that the event was "vintage Joe Biden".

The swap, he said, could "not have happened" without the US president.

"[He] was rallying US allies to save American citizens," he said. "If Joe Biden wasn't sitting in the Oval Office, I don't think this would have happened."

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Getty Images

I attend events at the White House with President Joe Biden fairly often - a few times a week.

Today's address in the State Dining room was starkly different to the majority of events I've attended here - it was happy, good news, and the president and his team weren't on the defensive.

It was a celebration, and that was written all over the faces of Biden and the families of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza.

"This is a relief for those who have been praying for this day for a long time," Biden said. "They're on their way home to see their families."

Biden did not go into much detail into the "difficult, complex" negotiations that led to today's swap.

One thing, however, is clear: the White House could not have done this without the cooperation of its allies abroad, particularly Germany.

"For anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do. They matter," he said, a remark likely to be interpreted as a thinly veiled swipe at his predecessor, Donald Trump, whom many at the White House have publicly criticised for lacking commitment to US allies.

Asked about the release of alleged Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov - a reporter asked if he was "getting away with murder" - Biden responded, without hesitation, that reuniting families was more important.

"That's what this is all about," Biden said. "Families able to be together again."

Back in New York City, colleagues and friends of Wall St Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich are celebrating his release and imminent return home.

As the news of his freedom became official, reporters and editors , externalin the newsroom broke out into tears and applause, videos posted on social media , externalshow.

Emma Tucker, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, addressed the newsroom full of staff: “It’s a joyous day for all of us... Evan is free," she said.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr / BBC

We've just concluded President Biden's comments at the White House - where he was flanked by nine family members of some of those released as part of the swap.

Walking into the room beneath a famed painting of Abraham Lincoln, Biden began his remarks with a smiling "Hi folks" to the gathered journalists.

"Today is a good day," he began, adding that those held in Russia were detained "for no legitimate reason".

The sense of relief in the room is palpable. In the corner of the room behind me, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stood with some of his staff, smiling as Biden spoke. As he entered the room, he hugged a man who congratulated him.

"They never gave up hope," Biden said of those released and their families. "I can't imagine their joy right now."

Just before he stopped speaking, Biden asked those in the room to sing happy birthday to the daughter of one of the prisoners, Alsu Kurmasheva. Several reporters joined in, and a White House staffer standing next to me shed a tear.

Asked what he told the released prisoners when they spoke on the phone, Biden said he told them, "Welcome home".

"Family is the beginning, middle and the end," he said. "Having lost family... it matters."

Just as he was walking out of the room, Biden was asked by a reporter what he would say to former President Donald Trump, who has claimed that he would have been able to negotiate the release of the prisoners without giving any concessions.

"Why didn't he do it when he was president?", Biden replied and walked away, ending the news conference.

Stick with us as we continue to bring you the key lines on this story.

Biden has just finished speaking.

Before his remarks wrapped up, he that deals like this don't come without tough calls and there are never any guarantees.

He reiterated that the US will continue to work for the release of all wrongly detained Americans around the world.

He added that the families of the prisoners who have been freed today "never gave up hope".

Biden goes on to talk about the key role played by America's allies in today's prisoner exchange.

US allies stood with us, Biden says, making bold and brave decisions, and providing logistical support.

Allies matter, he stresses, reiterating the need for friends you can depend on.

Alliances make our people safer, the president adds.

Biden says he's spoken to the families of the released prisoners on the phone from the Oval Office, while other family members are standing with him at the White House.

He says the released prisoners will soon be "wheels up" and returning to the US.

This deal was a "feat of diplomacy and friendship", Biden says.

He says the 16 prisoners released from Russia include four Americans, five Germans and seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners.

We're hearing from Biden now.

He starts off by saying that today this is a "very good afternoon" as four Americans that were unjustly imprisoned return home.

Biden says they were all convicted in "show trials".

Their brutal ordeal is over, he says.

While we wait to hear from President Biden, let's bring you these remarks from Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a post on X, she says: "Today we celebrate the release of Paul, Evan, Alsu, Vladimir, and others who were unjustly held in Russia.

"It gives me great comfort to know that their horrible ordeal is over and that they will soon be reunited with their families."

Harris adds that she and Biden "will not stop working until every American who is wrongfully detained or held hostage is brought home".

Prisoner swap a huge victory for Bidenpublished at 17:08 British Summer Time 1 August

17:08 BST 1 August

Will Grant
Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent

Seeing Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan back on US soil has long been a goal for the Biden administration.

As recently as last month, the special envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, said he was sure that “Evan and Paul will come home to the United States, I just don’t know when.”

Now that it’s actually happening, the prisoner swap is far wider and more complex than most would have imagined.

The sense of jubilation from the families will no doubt be echoed by the White House, with President Biden praising US allies who helped make this moment possible.

Yet that celebration will also be tempered by a desire not to be seen to have forgotten those left behind or their families.

Many remain unlawfully detained around the world. “We see you. We are with you”, President Biden told them.

Still, this is a huge victory for Biden coming soon after he confirmed he was stepping down from the presidential race.

From a political perspective, this couldn’t have come at a better time for his Administration, particularly for Vice-President Harris and her push for the White House.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr / BBC

I've just arrived in the State Dining room of the White House – where about 40 reporters are now crammed on one side of the room in front of a solitary podium where President Biden will speak.

There's a palpable air of excitement in the room – the entire process of RSVPing and arriving here was conducted in less than 10 minutes.

It's a jovial atmosphere, in no small part due to the presence of elated reporters from the Wall Street Journal.

Stay with us for more updates.

We'll soon be hearing from US President Joe Biden following the release of American citizens as part of the prisoner swap between Russia and the West.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest lines.

More now from Biden's statement.

The US president says he is "grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome— including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey".

The deal is a "powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend upon".

He goes on to say he will "not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family".

Thomas Copeland
Live reporter

We can now bring you a statement from US President Joe Biden following the release of US prisoners from Russia, including journalist Evan Gerskovich.

He says Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza are "finally coming home".

"The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy.

"All told, we’ve negotiated the release of 16 people from Russia—including five Germans and seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners in their own country. Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over," he says.

US newspaper the Wall Street Journal, external - where former prisoner Evan Gershkovich is a reporter - has dedicated their website's front page to a headline on the news of his release.