White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre are slated to hold a press briefing Thursday following news of the largest prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia since the Cold War.
Among those freed by Russia are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, President Biden confirmed in a statement.
“Today, we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir and rejoice with their families,” Biden wrote. “We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And reaffirm our pledge to their families: We see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.”
The event is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
Watch the live video above.