Journalist Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan were among the Americans released.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed former Marine Paul Whelan, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva at Andrews Air Force Base early Friday. The three were part of a prisoner exchange with Russia.
President Biden remarked on the behind-the-scenes discussions that went on to make the prisoner swap possible. He said, “The toughest call in this one was for other countries — is their — I asked them to do some things that were against their immediate self-interest and really very difficult for them to do, particularly Germany and Slovenia.“
Vice President Harris said, “This is an extraordinary day. And I’m very thankful for our president and what he has done over his entire career but, in particular, as it relates to these families and these individuals; what he has been able to do to bring the allies together on many issues but, in particular, this one.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and vice president to be discerning as they engage in diplomatic efforts on behalf of Americans imprisoned abroad.
- For the secretary of state and U.S. embassies as they issue warnings and alerts to keep U.S. citizens safe in other nations.
Sources: The White House, VOA News, Townhall, CNN
