I'm watching right now the live news coverage of the arrival of Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, D.C. What a terrific moment! I can only imagine how they feel after being held by the Russians all this time...and the joy on their families' faces is priceless!
The Washington Post has covered this story extensively, and I've shared below one of their articles on the complexities of the agreement that unfolded today. Sixteen Americans, Russians, and Germans were freed from Russian custody, while that thug Putin got back 8 of his agents, including an assassin serving a life sentence for a murder he committed in Berlin. This is one of most complicated prisoner exchanges in decades, and many people, from a variety of countries, worked very diligently to make it happen.
To be sure, there has been criticism of the deal that freed our countrymen, and I'm sure the press will pick apart today's events in the days and weeks to come, but as an American, I'm very happy they're free, and I welcome them home.
https://wapo.st/4fuP7kB
Who are the Americans freed from Russian prison?
The Washington Post has covered this story extensively, and I've shared below one of their articles on the complexities of the agreement that unfolded today. Sixteen Americans, Russians, and Germans were freed from Russian custody, while that thug Putin got back 8 of his agents, including an assassin serving a life sentence for a murder he committed in Berlin. This is one of most complicated prisoner exchanges in decades, and many people, from a variety of countries, worked very diligently to make it happen.
To be sure, there has been criticism of the deal that freed our countrymen, and I'm sure the press will pick apart today's events in the days and weeks to come, but as an American, I'm very happy they're free, and I welcome them home.
https://wapo.st/4fuP7kB
Who are the Americans freed from Russian prison?