President Joe Biden said in a statement today that the three Americans and one American green-card holder “who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia 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,” Biden said. “Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over.”
Biden said he was grateful to the U.S. allies “who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome— including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey.”
“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,” the president said.
Biden said he “will not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family” and that his administration has brought home more than 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,” he said.
“Today, we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir and rejoice with their families,” Biden said. “We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And 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.”