President Joe Biden commemorated the safe return of three U.S. citizens and one American green card holder who had been wrongly detained in Russia, including Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, some of whom had been imprisoned for years.
“Their brutal ordeal is over, and they’re free,” Biden told reporters Thursday in the White House State Dining Room. “Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the Oval Office. They’re out of Russia.”
“We stand for freedom, and liberty, and justice, not only for our own people, but for others as well,” he said. “That’s why all Americans can take pride in what we achieved today.”
As in the statement he shared with members of the press earlier, Biden drew a contrast with former President Donald Trump by underscoring the importance of allies.
“This deal would not have been made possible without our allies,” he said. “They stood with us. For anyone who questions whether allies matter, they do. They matter. Today is a powerful example why it’s vital to have friends in this world. Our alliances make our people safer.”
Biden also needled Trump for not being able to do the same during his administration, repeating he had secured the release of 70 wrongly detained citizens or green card holders since the start of his presidency.
“During the transition, I instructed our team to dig into all the cases of hostages being wrongfully detained. We inherited them from the prior administration,” Biden said. “I wanted to make sure we hit the ground running. We did.”
“Why didn’t he do it when he was president?” he added later in response to a reporter’s question about Trump claiming he could have brokered a deal without concessions.
The Trump campaign did not reply to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
Biden was additionally asked whether the deal would improve relations with Russia, admitting he has not spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“As my sister says, from your lips to God’s ears,” he said.
Biden provided more details about the deal in his statement, describing it as a “feat of diplomacy” and expressing gratitude to Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey for their support “throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome.”
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“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,” he wrote. “All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over.”
“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 continued. “We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.”
