Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement regarding the release of American citizens who were wrongfully detained in Russia:
“Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan were both wrongfully imprisoned and held hostage by Vladamir Putin. Today, I join my fellow Americans in welcoming them and others home. Let’s be clear though: today’s exchange is not equal. U.S. citizens wrongfully detained are not the same as Russian war criminals. In the Senate, we will continue to oppose all attempts by Putin to use Americans as political pawns to achieve his egregious goals. We will never stop fighting for Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained, whether by Hamas, the CCP, Putin, or anyone else,” said Senator Young.