WATCH: Biden speaks at White House after Brittney Griner freed from Russian prison
Cami Mondeaux
President Joe Biden is scheduled to give remarks after the release of women’s basketball player Brittney Griner from Russian custody early Thursday morning.
Griner was released during a one-for-one prisoner exchange that took place in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday morning, during which U.S. officials released international arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Griner. The basketball player’s release comes months after Griner was detained in a Russian airport in February on drug charges after security officials discovered she was carrying cannabis oil cartridges in her luggage.
U.S. officials reportedly came to an agreement with the Russian government to conduct the prisoner exchange sometime during the last week. Biden is expected to give more details regarding the swap at 8:30 a.m. EST from the White House.