WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife said in an Instagram post Thursday that they “are overwhelmed with joy and relief” for the Americans recently freed in a prisoner exchange with Russia.
“The Biden-Harris [Administration] showed true leadership once again, doing whatever was necessary to bring Americans home. Every American who returns is a victory”, says the post, signed by Griner and his wife, Cherelle.
Griner was detained in Russia for about 10 months and was later released in December 2022 through a similar prisoner exchange.
“While today is a day of celebration, our hearts go out to the many Americans who are still being held hostage abroad and with their families,” Griner and his wife’s post continues.
Those freed in Thursday’s prisoner swap with Russia include Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Vladimir Kara-Murza, five Germans and seven Russians.
“Today we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsosu and Vladimir and rejoice with their families,” President Biden said in a statement Thursday. “We remember all those who are still unjustly detained or held hostage around the world. And we reaffirm our commitment to your families: we see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.”
In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said Biden “was willing to make that difficult decision to release these… all of these individuals, not just the Americans, all of them ”.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
