“The United States values Ukraine, including all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, in its negotiations, and we look forward to reuniting these American citizens with their families,” Blinken said in a statement.
He also thanked Saudi Arabia for spearheading the initiative. “I conveyed my gratitude to Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan in a call this morning,” Blinken said.
Family members of Americans Alexander John-Robert Drueke and Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh — who were captured in June while fighting for Ukraine north of Kharkiv — confirmed to CNN earlier Wednesday that they had been released.
Five Britons were also released, the British government said. In addition, three others — nationals of Morocco, Sweden and Croatia — were released as part of the swap, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.
In his statement, Blinken reiterated that US citizens should not travel to Ukraine.
“Americans traveling to Ukraine to participate in the fighting there face significant risks, and the United States cannot guarantee their safety,” he said. “We encourage US citizens to devote their energies to the many other opportunities that exist to help the country of Ukraine and its people.”
