President Biden Celebrates The Release Of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovic, And Others Held By Russia

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President Biden delivered remarks on Thursday where he spoke about the release of Americans held in Russia.

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Transcript

00:00Good afternoon, and this is a very good afternoon.

00:12Today we're bringing home Paul, Evan, Alsu, Vladimir, three American citizens and one

00:18American green card holder.

00:20All four have been imprisoned unjustly in Russia, Paul for nearly six years, Vladimir

00:27since 2022, Evan since March of 2023, and Alsu since October of 2023.

00:36Russian authorities arrested them, convicted them in show trials, and sentenced them to

00:41long prison terms with absolutely no legitimate reason whatsoever, none.

00:46Paul, a former Marine, was in Russia for a wedding, Evan, a journalist in Russia, was

00:55in Russia, signed by the Wall Street Journal, Alsu, also a journalist, was in Russia to

01:01see family.

01:03All three falsely accused of being spies, and Vladimir, who was a Russian citizen by

01:08birth and holds an American green card, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and was

01:13a pallbearer at my friend John McCain's funeral with me.

01:17He spoke out against Putin's regime, and for that he was convicted of treason.

01:22And now, their brutal ordeal is over, and they're free.

01:29Moments ago, the families and I were able to speak to them on the telephone from the

01:34Oval Office.

01:35They're out of Russia.

01:36Earlier today, they were flown to Turkey, and soon they'll be wheels up on their way

01:41home to see their families.

01:44This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here.

01:48It's relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who have been praying

01:52for this day for a long time.

President Biden Celebrates The Release Of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovic, And Others Held By Russia

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