The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy, Biden wrote in a statement.
Our alliances make Americans safer, Biden added.
The successful swap was not without its tragedy.
Left: Evan Gershkovich. Right: Paul Whelan.NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images; Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Navalnydied under incredibly suspicious circumstancesin February while serving a 19-year sentence on controversial, extremism-related charges.
Navalnys family and several governments have accused the Russian government of murdering the long-time critic of Vladimir Putin.
Why didnt he do it when he was president?
