Following the announcement of Brittney Griner’s release, the Office of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz issued the following comment:
“It’s heartening to hear Brittney Griner has been released and will be reunited with her friends and family in the United States. Nevertheless, it’s concerning that the Biden administration has released Viktor Bout in what was clearly a blackmail demand. Bout is one of the most dangerous men in the world and an arms dealer who conspired to kill Americans and aid terrorists, and his release makes every American less safe — so does the manner of his release, which will encourage terrorists and rogue regimes to seize more Americans as hostages. Moreover, despite the incalculable value of Bout to Putin, the Biden administration was unable to secure the release of other Americans still held in Russia, including Paul Whelan and Marc Fogel.”
