Michael McCaul, the Republican leader in Congress, reacted to the prisoner swap between the West and Russia and criticized the Joe Biden administration's approach of trading Americans for "real Russian criminals" as a "dangerous message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The exchange took place yesterday, during which the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and the former military veteran, Marine Paul Whelan, who were illegally held by Moscow for years, were among the others released from a Russian prison.

McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joined those who welcomed the release and said he was "thrilled" to hear Americans were coming home.

- But I am still concerned that the continued exchange of innocent Americans for real Russian criminals held in the United States and elsewhere sends a dangerous message to Putin, encouraging further hostage-taking by his regime - he said last night.

McCall reminded that several other Americans remain in prison in Russia and other countries, such as Mark Vogel, Ksenia Karelina or Mark Svidani.