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

Key events

CBS News reports that Paul Whelan’s brother has described the swap that freed Griner but left the detained American security executive behind as a “catastrophe”:

NEW: Paul Whelan’s brother says the US government advised the Whelan family yesterday that he would not be part of the swap.

“That early warning meant that our family has been able to mentally prepare for what is now a public disappointment for us. And a catastrophe for Paul.”

— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) December 8, 2022

NBC News reports that the sticking point with Whelan is that Russia believes he was spying:

NEW: A senior U.S. official tells @NBCNews they tried everything they could to get Paul Whelan out, but “they are treating him differently. They say he is an espionage case. They said the choice was either one [Griner] or none.”

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 8, 2022

CBS News has more details about how the swap for Griner came about:

After 5 months of stalled diplomacy and various potential swap arrangements — including a previously unreported offer by the US this past summer to send 2 prisoners back to Russia for Griner & Whelan — sources tell @cbsnews the 1-for-1 exchange came together over the last 2 weeks https://t.co/rEODmS71fp

— Sara Cook (@saraecook) December 8, 2022

The Biden administration made at least one concession by agreeing to reduce the swap to one American for one Russian. 5 former US officials told @cbsnews the agreement had been reached as of last Thursday. Former US Marine Paul Whelan remains in Russian custody.

— Sara Cook (@saraecook) December 8, 2022

.@CBSNews learned last Thursday that the Griner-for-Bout swap was likely imminent but agreed to a White House request to hold the reporting because officials expressed grave concern about the fragility of the then-emerging deal and Griner’s well-being.

— Sara Cook (@saraecook) December 8, 2022

Brittney Griner’s wife, Cherelle, shared a few words as Biden closed his speech.

“Over the last nine months, you all have been so privy to one of the darkest moments of my life,” Cherelle Griner said,” describing herself as “overwhelmed with emotions, but the most important emotion that I have right now is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration.”

“Today my family is whole, but as you are all aware, there are so many families who are not whole,” she continued, saying she and Brittney will remain committed to “getting every American home, including Paul, whose family is in our hearts today.”

‘Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones’: Biden

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.”

Joe Biden’s address on the release of Brittney Griner is expected to start any minute, and you can watch along live here:

Joe Biden has tweeted news of Brittney Griner’s release, sharing photos of him speaking with her wife, Cherelle Griner:

Also pictured is vice-president Kamala Harris and secretary of state Antony Blinken.

Biden to speak after Brittney Griner freed by Russia in prisoner swap

Good morning, US politics blog readers. Joe Biden is making a surprise speech at 8.30am eastern time, after reports emerged that women’s basketball star Brittney Griner has been freed from a Russian prison in a swap for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout. Follow this blog for the latest on his speech.

That’s not all that’s happening today:

  • The House will vote on the Respect for Marriage Act protecting same-sex and interracial marriage rights, putting it on the cusp of becoming law.

  • Negotiations in Congress will continue on a slew of other legislation the Democratic majority is trying to pass before the end of the year, including an annual defense spending bill and a measure to keep the government open.

  • White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters at 12:30 pm.

source: theguardian.com