Paul Whelan is free. Our family is grateful to the United States government for making Paul's freedom a reality. We'd like to thank President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and National Security Advisor Sullivan for their engagement with the Russian Federation to create the environment where Paul's freedom became a possibility,
Every parent, child, spouse and loved one who joined me in the Oval Office today has been praying for this day for a long time,
This is absolutely amazing. Your family is with you,
This is momma. Do you hear me? It's your mom.”
Multiple countries helped get this done.”
I spent a month in prison in Yekaterinburg where everyone I sat with was a political prisoner. Nobody knows them publicly, they have various political beliefs, they are not all connected with Navalny supporters, who everyone knows about. I would potentially like to see if we could do something about them as well. I’d like to talk to people about that in the next weeks and months
I was sure I’m going to die in prison, because I still don’t believe what’s happening. I still think I’m sleeping in my prison cell in Omsk instead of hearing your voice. But I just want you to know that you’ve done a wonderful thing by saving so many people
This is such incredible news, and I am tremendously thankful to everyone who supported and advocated for Alsu’s release in the wake of Russia's callous injustice,
We are overwhelmed with relief and elated for Evan and his family, as well as for the others who were released,
It feels wonderful, it was a long time coming, ... Alliances make a difference. They stepped up and took a chance for us."
Alsu’s release makes us even more determined to secure the freedom of three other RFE/RL journalists,
I’m going to say, ‘Nice to meet you,’
Alsu was targeted because she was an American journalist who was simply trying to take care of a family member inside Russia. She did nothing wrong and certainly did not deserve the unjust treatment and forced separation from her loving family members and colleagues,
Now she gets to celebrate with her mom,
All journalists & rights defenders detained solely for doing their jobs must be freed".
I am thrilled that wrongfully detained Americans are now free and reunited with their families, and I am grateful to the Government of Türkiye for extraordinary support in making today possible."
Türkiye continues to be a vital partner and ally, and we will work with them on a tremendous deal of things, but I'm not going to speak to the specifics of this process,
We are thankful for Türkiye's role as it relates to that (the swap deal),
The European Union is relieved by the release and transfer to freedom outside Russia and Belarus of a number of political prisoners, including EU citizens, facilitated with the help of Türkiye,
The right to peaceful opposition and freedom of the media are vital for any functioning society."