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U.S Rep. French Hill expresses approval for prisoner swap between the U.S and Russia

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Published August 5, 2024 at 9:02 AM CDT

Reporter Evan Gershkovich hugs his mother Ella Milman, left, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia, the U.S. and several other countries on Thursday. Looking on at right is Elizabeth Whelan, sister of released prisoner Paul Whelan.

Last week, the Biden Administration, in a prisoner swap with Russia, freed 16 prisoners, three of which were Americans, including Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershovich and former marine Paul Whelan, according to NPR News.

“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. This is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend upon. Our alliances make Americans safer,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

In an interview with Arkies in the Beltway, U.S Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, who is the co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, expressed approval for the prisoner swap.

“That is a cause for celebration of this nation, because we have over 50 Americans that are held wrongfully in other nations. And what we have is a success that can bring these Americans home after months, and in some cases years of imprisonment. It's a victory,” he said.

Hill has also said Russia needs to be held accountable for wrongfully detaining Americans.