U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday thanked allies, together with Türkiye, for a serious prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia.
“I am grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome— including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey,” Biden wrote on X.
His remarks had been made quickly after Türkiye introduced that the nation’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) led a profitable prisoner alternate involving seven nations in “one of the most extensive” swap operations in recent times.
Twenty-six people had been exchanged and transported to Ankara on seven plane — from Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia and two from the U.S., in accordance with safety sources. Belarus was additionally concerned.
“Today, three American residents and one American green-card holder who had been unjustly imprisoned in Russia are lastly coming dwelling: Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Vladimir Kara-Murza.
“The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy,” stated Biden.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the assist from U.S. allies and stated Washington appreciates the Turkish authorities offering a location for the secure return of prisoners to the U.S. and Germany.
“We are grateful for the support we had from a number of our allies who made this deal possible, in particular Germany, Poland, Norway, and Slovenia,” Blinken stated in an announcement. “We further appreciate the Turkish government providing a location for the safe return of these individuals to the United States and Germany.”
Blinken hailed the “extraordinary efforts” of numerous folks within the State Department and throughout the federal government to safe a deal to free Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan and journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who had been held in Russian prisons.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we have secured the release of dozens of Americans who were held hostage or wrongfully detained. My pledge to the families of those still separated from their families is the same that I made to those returning home today,” he added.
Source: www.anews.com.tr