Trevor Reed, a U.S. Marine veteran, was recently released from Russia as part of a prisoner swap. Reed had been jailed in Russia since 2019 on charges of assaulting a police officer. The exchange took place in Turkey on Wednesday, Trevor’s parents, Joey and Paula Reed, told reporters.
Biden said, “The negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly.” “I heard in the voices of Trevor’s parents how much they’ve worried about his health and missed his presence,” Biden said in a statement. “And I was delighted to be able to share with them the good news about Trevor’s freedom.”
Trevor’s parents said they had also spoken to President Joe Biden on Wednesday and expressed their gratitude. Through a statement shared through their spokesperson, Trevor’s parents thanked a slew of local and federal elected officials and diplomatic staff for advocating for their son and helping to secure his release.
Reed’s case attracted international attention, and he was widely seen as a political prisoner. The U.S. government had been working for his release, and his release is seen as a positive step in relations between the U.S. and Russia. During his time in captivity, Reed endured numerous health issues and regular interrogations by Russian authorities. Despite these challenges, he remained resilient and committed to returning home to his family in the United States. Many Americans were relieved to hear that Trevor had finally been freed after so many years away from his loved ones.
On the other hand, The State Department has previously declined to identify exactly how many Americans have been detained in Russia, but there are at least two high-profile prisoners who remain behind bars there: Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner. In a briefing Wednesday, senior administration officials said they’re “very aware that there are other Americans held in Russia,” adding that Whelan and Griner are “very much in our minds today, even as we are so happy for the news about Trevor Reed.” While there is no clear indication of when or if Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan will be released, many are calling for diplomatic efforts to secure their freedom and ensure that their rights are respected. The State Department has highlighted the case of Brittney Griner, a US professional basketball player who was recently denied re-entry to the United States after returning from a trip abroad. In a statement released earlier this week, the State Department said that Griner’s case is being treated as a “top priority” and that they are “closely monitoring” the situation. In the meantime, advocates for detained Americans continue to raise awareness about their cases and put pressure on the US government to do more.
