Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap for Viktor Bout
Daily MailAmerican military veteran Paul Whelan remains in detention - Republicans called that 'unconscionable' and said the U.S. was putting 'celebrities' over veterans He was in jail for selling weapons to U.S. adversaries across the world Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acted as mediator - two days ago a U.S. lawsuit holding him responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder was dropped But White House prisoner swap with the Kremlin was plunged into controversy A dramatic White House deal that secured the sudden release of Brittney Griner from a Russian penal colony sparked joyous scenes – but was immediately plunged into controversy. President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the White House on Thursday morning to discuss Brittney Griner's release as well as the conditions of Americans still detained abroad Whelan said from prison that he was 'greatly disappointed' the Biden administration did not do more to secure his release alongside Griner and said he was ready to 'go home'. Cherelle Griner, wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner and First Lady Jill Biden embrace after news of the basketball player's release from Russia Cherelle thanked the Biden administration for ending what she called 'the darkest moments of my life' Russian President Vladimir Putin toasts with Russian soldiers after awarding them with the Gold Star medal on the eve of the 'Heroes of the Fatherland Day' at the Kremlin in Moscow on December 8, 2022, the day the US announced it was returning arms dealer Viktor Bout When asked about Whelan, Biden insisted the administration was still in talks with his family and were trying to get him home. Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout In a statement celebrating Griner's release, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added, 'Congress stand firmly with the Administration as they continue working to secure the release of Paul Whelan and other Americans unjustly detained in Russia.'