Joe Biden’s White House claims credit for freeing Americans detained in Russia.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan credited President Biden for the successful return of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and other Americans who were wrongly detained in Russia. Sullivan addressed the press at the White House briefing following the Biden-Harris administration’s announcement of a significant swap of political prisoners between the United States and Russia.
Sullivan emphasized that the exchange was a diplomatic achievement that could only be executed under Biden’s leadership. The swap involved the release of three American citizens – Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva – along with one American green-card holder, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and a dozen others. Biden’s personal engagement in diplomatic efforts, including conversations with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leaders of other countries, was instrumental in bringing these Americans home.
The White House confirmed that Biden had a crucial phone call with the Prime Minister of Slovenia to finalize the deal. Sullivan highlighted the importance of American alliances and expressed gratitude to the allies who supported the U.S. in the complex negotiations for the prisoner exchange.
The President reached out to leaders of Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey to thank them for their roles in facilitating the agreement. Sullivan praised Biden’s leadership in rallying American allies to secure the release of American citizens and Russian activists, showcasing his statecraft and teamwork to achieve a positive outcome.
Gershkovich, who was detained in Russia for alleged espionage, was declared “wrongfully detained” by the Biden administration. The charges against him were vehemently denied by The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government. Biden’s focus has always been on prioritizing the families of the detained individuals, and he maintained regular communication with them throughout the ordeal.
Former President Trump, on the other hand, questioned the details of the prisoner exchange on Truth Social, raising concerns about the terms of the swap. However, Sullivan clarified that no money or sanctions relief was part of the agreement and addressed worries about incentivizing adversaries to wrongfully detain more Americans.
Sullivan explained that the decision to exchange a convicted criminal for an innocent American is a difficult one but emphasized the importance of reuniting Americans and showcasing the U.S. government’s commitment to protecting its citizens. The benefits of bringing innocent Americans home outweigh the risks involved in such negotiations.
