The following press statement was made by Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, on September 8.
The United States welcomes the news of the release of 35 Ukrainians held by Russia, in exchange for 35 prisoners held by Ukraine. We have consistently called for the release of the 24 Ukrainian crewmembers detained by Russia following the November 2018 attack on Ukrainian vessels in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait, as well as Oleh Sentsov and other political prisoners. We welcome the announcement that they have returned home.