Joe Biden Welcomes American Citizens Freed from Russian Detention: Welcome Home

On Thursday, August 11, U.S. President Joe Biden announced a prisoner exchange involving four American citizens with Russia, stating that those who were "wrongfully" imprisoned are now on their way home. Biden addressed these citizens, saying, "Welcome home, almost." In a press conference, he mentioned that 16 innocent prisoners, who were tried by Russian authorities and sentenced to long prison terms on baseless accusations of "espionage," have been freed. He emphasized that he spoke by phone with the families of the four released citizens in his office at the White House, stating, "Their ordeal is over; they are free, have left Russia, and are on their way to Turkey, allowing their families to breathe easy now." Biden described the agreement for their release as a "result of diplomacy" through "complex and difficult negotiations" and thanked officials from Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, and Poland for their assistance in these negotiations. He also expressed gratitude to U.S. allies for making "difficult decisions" and releasing prisoners who were justly detained in their countries. According to Biden, "Russia released 16 prisoners," including "four Americans, five Germans, and several others," while "eight Russian citizens held in the West will also return to Russia." The U.S. President further stressed the importance of alliances with these countries, stating that "this alliance can make people safer" and that the release of these wrongfully imprisoned individuals in Russia "demonstrates how much we value human rights." He thanked "those in the government who helped make this agreement possible" and also expressed gratitude to the families of the prisoners who "never lost hope," adding, "In America, we stand for freedom, liberty, and justice for ourselves and others." Biden also reminded that travel to certain countries could jeopardize Americans' safety, advising people to avoid specific nations. Earlier, Biden had stated that Ivan Gerashkovich, Paul Whelan, and Alsu Kormashova, U.S. citizens, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a permanent resident of the U.S., who were wrongfully imprisoned in Russia, are on their way back to the United States. He noted the release of five German citizens and seven Russian citizens who were all imprisoned in Russia, some of whom had been wrongfully detained for years and had suffered unimaginable hardships during that time. Biden mentioned that over 70 American citizens imprisoned abroad have been freed during his presidency and that he will continue his efforts to secure the release of all wrongfully detained American citizens worldwide. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, also expressed joy over the release of these three citizens and one permanent resident, as well as the seven Russian citizens from Russian prisons. She recalled her previous meetings with some relatives of Paul Whelan and Ivan Gerashkovich, assuring them that the U.S. would not rest until the ruthless and unjust practice of Russia detaining citizens of other countries for leverage ends. The U.N. Ambassador concluded her statement by emphasizing that returning wrongfully detained American citizens worldwide is a priority for the Biden administration, which will continue its efforts to bring all of them home.