By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Worthy News) – U.S. President Joe Biden has confirmed that Russia has released three jailed Americans, including The Wall Street Journal newspaper reporter Evan Gershkovich and one American green card holder. “Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza” are returning home, he said.
“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.”
He added that, “All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over.”
In the exchange, which took place at Ankara airport late Thursday eight Russians held in the west returned to Russia. Among them was the Russian assassin Vadim Krasikov, who has been held in a German prison since 2019 for the murder of a Chechen exile in Berlin.
Additionally, deep-cover Russian “illegal” spies arrested in Norway and Slovenia were swapped, along with Russians held on criminal charges in U.S. jails.
Two minors were also returned to Russia, believed to be the children of the spies jailed in Slovenia.
GRATEFUL TO ALLIES
“I am grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome— including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey,” Biden said.
“This is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend upon. Our alliances make Americans safer,” Biden added in the statement.
However, “let me be clear: I will not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family,” he pledged.
“My Administration has now brought home over 70 such Americans, many of whom were in captivity since before I took office. Still, too many families are suffering and separated from their loved ones, and I have no higher priority as President than bringing those Americans home.”
President Biden stressed, “Today, we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir and rejoice with their families. We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And we reaffirm our pledge to their families: We see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.”
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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