Quigley Statement on Release of Americans Imprisoned by Russia

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement on the release of Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan.

“After 491 days, Evan Gershkovich is finally free. Evan has displayed unimaginable resilience during his wrongful imprisonment and I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for securing his release. No American—especially journalists—should be forced to endure what Evan has experienced. Freedom of the press is a hallmark of an open society and while Putin may not respect that principle among his own citizens, he must honor it for foreign journalists covering his authoritarian regime.

“This exchange also includes former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who has been wrongfully held in Russia for six painstaking years, and Alsu Kurmasheva. Now, Evan, Paul, and Alsu will return home and be reunited with their families once and for all.

“President Biden has now secured the release of 70 Americans being wrongfully detained abroad since the beginning of his administration, a remarkable achievement. I am deeply appreciative of his dedication to the release of wrongfully detained Americans and I look forward to working with him and Vice President Harris to secure the release of every American held in captivity.

“Putin may think he has achieved his goals with this swap, but the world can see right through his games. His desperation is on full display with these sham arrests and convictions. America’s strength will always triumph over Putin’s cowardice and freedom will prevail over tyranny.”