Biden speaks as Brittney Griner freed in US-Russia prisoner swap: ‘She’s on her way home’ – live

Speaking at the White House, Joe Biden formally announced the release of Brittney Griner from detention in Russia, and pledged to continue working to bring home another American jailed in the country.

“Moments ago, standing together with her wife Cherelle in the Oval Office, I spoke with Brittney Griner,” Biden said. “She’s safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home after months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances. Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones, and she should have been there all along.”

He thanked officials in his administration who worked for her released, as well as the United Arab Emirates, “because that’s where she landed.” The president noted that “the past few months have been hell” for Griner, and her family and teammates.

He also mentioned the case of Paul Whelan, another American whose release from Russia he said he was working on. “We’ve not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who’s been unjustly detained in Russia for years.”