Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a high-level prisoner exchange.

President Biden signed off on the trade, which took place in the United Arab Emirates, and said, “She is safe, she is on a plane, she is on her way home. She will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones and she should have been there all along.”

In exchange for Griner’s freedom, the U.S. exchanged notorious Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout.

Meanwhile, Paul Whelan, an American corporate security executive also jailed in Russia, was not part of the trade.

Griner was arrested and jailed back in February when customs officials said they found vape canisters with cannabis oil in her luggage.

More about:

Pro Sports