President Biden Addresses the Nation at the White House ?surrounded by Members of the Four Released From Russian Prisons today. The Twelve Year Old at Left is the Daughter of Alsu Kuzmasheva, One of Those Released Today. er Birthday is Tomorrow and the President led ghe group in Singing “Happy Birthday” to her.
Brave Americans Evan, Alsu and Paul in Ankara, Turkey, Before Leaving for US Soil. The Fourth Released is a Russian Dissident who is an American Citizen. Alsu is a Radio Free Euope reporter. (The Photo was Released by the US Government.)
“Good morning and it is really a good morning,” said President Joe Biden just after noon at the White House as he delivered remarks on the prisoner swap with Russia that has been underway since early this morning and actually for several years – starting in December of 2022.
The President said that three of the four released were convicted of being spies for the United States, in “show trials ” and convicted with long prison terms and with no evidence. They were sent to Turkey initially and they will be home in the US soon. “Their brutal ordeal is over,” the President said.
The President thanked American allies involved in this historic release. It shows how “important it is to have friends who we can work with and trust. We stand for freedom and that is why all Americans should be proud.” The President said he wanted to end where he began. “They (the famliies) never gave up hope. I can’t imagine their joy today. The deal was a feat of dipomacy and friendship.” The President added that if anyone questions the value of relationships with allies, “they do matter. This is a powerful examp;e of why allies matter.”
The three Americans are expected to arrive back on US soil this evening – arriving at Andrews Air Force Base around 11:00 pm following a 14 hour flight from Turkey to the US. They are expected to be welcomed home by Presidet Biden and VP Harris and family members. The fourth released former prisoner is Vladimir Kara Murza is expected to go to Germany before returning to the US at a later date. He was one of the harshest Putin critics and convicted for that. He served as a pallbearer in Senator John McCain’s funeral. But he insisted on returning to Russia – his home where he was promptly arrested and convicted. Recently, he won a Pulitizer Prize for the columns he wrote.
It was reported that President Biden was personally involved in getting the releases of these former hostages. In January of this year, he called the German Cjamce;;pr askig for the country’s assistance in the effort. The German Chancellor responded to President Biden: “Yes. For you we will help you in this.” The Germans were holding a Russian thug that Putin wanted returned – sparking the possibility from some that he might be in declining health. So. his imminent return to Russia was important to Putin.
Following the President’s remarks, a brief Q&A session from reprters ensued: When one reporter asked the President about Trump’s pledge that he would get the Americans released on Day One, the President responded: “Why didn’t he do it when he was president?”
“Isn’t it great that Trump’s mouth has been eclipsed, sort of, once again by this celebatory occasion?” asked this blogger
Please visit previous post heein dated August 1, 2024 for more information on the release ot American former prisoners on their way home from Russia today.