Biden Celebrates His New Victory

President Joe Biden recently celebrated the release of three American citizens and one green card holder who had been unjustly imprisoned in Russia. This group included Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, some of whom had been detained for extended periods.

In a statement from the White House, Biden declared, “Their harrowing ordeal is finally over, and they are free.” He elaborated, “I had the privilege of speaking with them and their families from the Oval Office just moments ago. They are now out of Russia.”

Biden emphasized the values of freedom, liberty, and justice that are central to American identity. “We stand for these principles not just for ourselves but for people everywhere,” he asserted. “All Americans should take pride in what we’ve achieved today.”

In his remarks, Biden drew a clear distinction between his administration and the previous one by highlighting the role of international alliances. “This successful resolution would not have been possible without the support of our allies,” he said. “For those who doubt the significance of alliances, today’s events are a testament to their importance. Our partnerships are crucial for our security.”

Biden also contrasted his administration’s efforts with those of former President Donald Trump. He noted that his administration had facilitated the release of 70 wrongfully detained individuals since he took office, a point he underscored in response to questions about Trump’s past actions.

“During the transition, I instructed our team to thoroughly review all hostage cases,” Biden explained. “We inherited these cases from the previous administration and were determined to act swiftly.” He questioned, “Why didn’t he act during his presidency?” in response to claims that Trump could have secured similar deals without concessions.

When asked if this diplomatic success would improve U.S.-Russia relations, Biden admitted he had not been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “As my sister says, from your lips to God’s ears,” he responded.

Biden also praised the collective diplomatic efforts, thanking Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey for their crucial roles in the complex negotiations. “We’ve managed to secure the release of 16 individuals from Russia, including five Germans and seven Russian political prisoners,” he noted. “All of them have endured severe hardships, and today their suffering ends.”

He concluded with a commitment to continue working tirelessly for the release of all Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage globally. “Our work is far from over,” Biden affirmed. “We will persist until every American is reunited with their loved ones.”