President Joe Biden on Thursday celebrated the release of several Americans from Russian imprisonment by singing “Happy Birthday” to the daughter of one of the freed people.
“Tomorrow's a big day, the 13th birthday of Miriam [Butorin],” Biden said in remarks at the White House with the families of some of the prisoners. “We have a tradition in the Biden family: We sing ‘Happy Birthday’ on your birthday.”
Biden, the families, and press gathered in the room then sang “Happy Birthday” to Butorin, the daughter of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva. Kurmasheva and fellow journalists Vladimir Kara-Murza and Evan Gershkovich, as well as former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, are being released by Russia in one of the largest prisoner swaps since the Cold War. Seven countries, including Russia, the United States, Germany, and Turkey, are involved in the deal that is freeing 26 people. Ten people, including two children, were released to Russia earlier in the day, and 13 prisoners are being sent to Germany.
"Now [Miriam] gets to celebrate with her mom. That's what this is all about: families,” Biden said. “Able to be together again, like they should have been all along.”
