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US President Joe Biden officially confirmed that a prisoner exchange took place between the US, Western countries and the Russian Federation.
This is stated in Biden's statement on the White House website, Ukrinform reports.
In total, the US released 16 people. Among them are three American citizens and one American green card holder who were imprisoned in Russia: marine Paul Wilan, journalists Evan Hershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, and dissident Volodymyr Kara-Murza.
Among the others released are five Germans and seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners.
Biden called the agreement that ensured their freedom "a real diplomatic feat."
"I am grateful to our Alliance members who stood by us during difficult negotiations to achieve this result - including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway and Turkey. This is a prime example of why it is vital to have friends in this world that you can trust and rely on," the statement reads.
Biden added that today celebrates the return of Paul, Evan, Also and Volodymyr and remembers all those who are still illegally detained or held hostage around the world.
The media also published a list of prisoners exchanged between the West and Russia.
