WNBA star Brittney Griner and her wife posted on Instagram Thursday that they are “filled with joy and relief” for the Americans recently released in a prisoner swap with Russia.
“Biden-Harris [Administration] “Once again, they have demonstrated true leadership by doing whatever it takes to bring Americans home. Every American who comes home is a win,” the statement said. Posted, Signed by Griner and his wife, Sherrell.
Griner was held in Russia for about 10 months before being released in December 2022 in a similar prisoner swap.
“While today is a day of celebration, our hearts go out to the many Americans and their families who remain held hostage overseas,” Griner’s post continued.
Those freed in Thursday’s prisoner swap with Russia included Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former U.S. Marines Paul Whelan, Ars Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza, five Germans and seven Russians.
“Today, we celebrate the homecoming of Paul, Evan, Ars and Vladimir and rejoice with their families,” President Biden said. said in a statement on Thursday.“We remember all those who remain unjustly detained and held hostage around the world, and we reiterate 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.”
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday that Biden was “prepared to make that difficult decision to get not just the Americans out, but all of these people out.”
