Washington – The U.S. spy Cuba is releasing is one of the most important intelligence agents the U.S. has ever had in Cuba, says Barack Obama.

Obama discussed his administration’s move Wednesday to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba. Cuba is releasing the spy as part of that effort.

Obama says the man’s sacrifice is known only to a few people. But he says the spy provided the information that allowed the U.S. to arrest Cuban agents, including three spies the U.S. is now releasing as part of the deal.

Obama says the U.S. spy is now safely on American soil.

U.S. officials have said the spy is a non-American and that his identity remains secret. Cuba has also released American prisoner Alan Gross.