‘Their Brutal Ordeal Is Over.’ Biden Announces Release of Americans in Russia Prisoner Swap

TIME

President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that Russian authorities have released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich along with two other American citizens and an American green-card holder as part of a sweeping prisoner swap.

Transcript

00:00Well, good afternoon, and this is a very good afternoon, a very good afternoon.

00:07Today we're bringing home Paul, Evan, Alsu, Vladimir, three American citizens and one

00:13American green card holder.

00:15All four have been imprisoned unjustly in Russia.

00:19Their brutal ordeal is over, and they're free.

00:24Months ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval

00:30Office.

00:31They're out of Russia.

00:32Earlier today, they were flown to Turkey, and soon they'll be wheels up on their way

00:36home to see their families.

00:39This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here.

00:43It's relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who've been praying

00:48for this day for a long time.

00:50The deal that made this possible was a feat of diplomacy and friendship, friendship.

00:57Multiple countries helped get this done.

01:00They joined the difficult, complex negotiations at my request, and I personally thank them

01:06all again.

01:07I thank them personally, and I thank them again.

01:09All told, Russia has released 16 prisoners.

01:13Eight Russians who are being held in the West will be sent home as well.

01:18These 16 prisoners from Russia that Russia has released include four Americans, five

01:23Germans, seven Russian citizens who are political prisoners in their own country.

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