White House casts doubt on claims that Trump administration tried to free Paul Whelan
2 years ago

White House casts doubt on claims that Trump administration tried to free Paul Whelan

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Although members of Mr Whelan’s family were able to secure at least one meeting with Mr Trump’s then-national security adviser, John Bolton, in mid-2019, the former president never once mentioned Mr Whelan’s name during his time in office and Trump administration officials never made any concerted public push to draw attention to Mr Whelan’s plight or call for him to be freed. On Tuesday, Mr Trump’s final national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, told The Hill that he felt his Russian counterpart had committed to freeing Mr Whelan and another US Marine Corps veteran held in Russia, Trevor Reed, in exchange for the scheduling of future summits between American and Russian leaders. Asked about those claims by The Independent, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said he had no “visibility” into conversations between Moscow and the previous administration, but said the Biden administration had never had any indication that freeing Mr Whelan had ever been on the table. The NSC spokesperson added that the Biden administration had tried “all kinds of different permutations” to make a prisoner swap for Ms Griner and Mr Whelan palatable to Moscow, but stressed that Russian officials have “made clear” that they consider Mr Whelan to be “in a different category” from Ms Griner because of the espionage charges they have held him on.

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History of this topic

'Cleaning house:' Vance claims Russian prisoners are free because Trump will win election
5 months, 1 week ago

'Cleaning house:' Vance claims Russian prisoners are free because Trump will win election

Raw Story  

Vance is trying to credit President Joe Biden's "big win" Thursday — Russia's return of imprisoned journalist Evan Gershkovich, ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and others — to a surprising source: his running mate Donald Trump. "It's because bad guys all over the world recognize Donald Trump's about to be back in office, so they’re cleaning house." This election year, Trump …

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out
5 months, 1 week ago

Biden secured Russian captives' freedom 'an hour before' he announced he was dropping out

Raw Story  

President Joe Biden finalized the deal to get Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan released from Russian captivity about an hour before he announced he was ending his re-election campaign. The eventual prisoner swap that saw Gershkovich and Whelan returned to the U.S. took place five months after the death of Russian opposition leader …

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others freed in prisoner exchange
5 months, 1 week ago

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others freed in prisoner exchange

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: The United States and Russia completed their biggest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history on Thursday, with Moscow releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place. The trade followed years of secretive back-channel …

Russia releases US journalist and other Americans and dissidents in massive 24-person prisoner swap
5 months, 1 week ago

Russia releases US journalist and other Americans and dissidents in massive 24-person prisoner swap

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

'Trump loses his hostage': Biden applauded for release of Gershkovich and Whelan
5 months, 1 week ago

'Trump loses his hostage': Biden applauded for release of Gershkovich and Whelan

Raw Story  

The Biden administration has secured the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan from Russian prisons as part of a prisoner swap, which wipes away one of Donald Trump's baffling campaign promises. "Trump loses his hostage as Evan Gershkovich is released," said Eric Columbus, former litigator for the U.S. House general counsel. "Wonderful …

US reporter Evan Gershkovich released by Russia in multi-country prisoner swap
5 months, 1 week ago

US reporter Evan Gershkovich released by Russia in multi-country prisoner swap

Hindustan Times  

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan have been released by Russia in a multi-country prisoner swap between US and Russia, according to a Bloomberg report. FILE PHOTO: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who faces charges of espionage, stands inside an enclosure for defendants as he attends a court hearing in Yekaterinburg, Russia July …

Americans released in prisoner swap with Russia are back on U.S. soil, welcomed by Biden and Harris
5 months, 1 week ago

Americans released in prisoner swap with Russia are back on U.S. soil, welcomed by Biden and Harris

LA Times  

This image released by the White House shows Evan Gershkovich, left, Alsu Kurmasheva, right, and Paul Whelan, second from right, and others aboard a plane Thursday after their release from Russian captivity. Soon, they’ll be wheels up, on their way home to see their family.” Sullivan called the negotiations “one of the largest and certainly one of the most complex …

Prisoner swap with Russia frees Americans including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan
5 months, 1 week ago

Prisoner swap with Russia frees Americans including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan

NPR  

Prisoner swap with Russia frees Americans including Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan toggle caption Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images In one of the largest prisoner swaps between the United States, its allies and Russia since the end of the Cold War, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan are among more than a dozen prisoners …

Russian official says US is hampering a prisoner exchange with unequal demands
1 year ago

Russian official says US is hampering a prisoner exchange with unequal demands

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — A Russian deputy foreign minister said that talks with the United States on a potential prisoner exchange that would free Americans held in Russia are hampered by publicity and an alleged disparity in the U.S. negotiating stance. The U.S. State Department said last week that Russia rejected several proposals for freeing Paul Whelan, an American convicted of espionage, …

US says Russia rejected ‘substantial’ proposal to free two jailed Americans
1 year, 1 month ago

US says Russia rejected ‘substantial’ proposal to free two jailed Americans

Al Jazeera  

Washington says ‘no higher priority’ than effort to secure release from Russia of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. The United States has said Moscow rejected what it said was a “substantial” proposal to secure the freedom of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan who are jailed in Russia over alleged spying. “We have made …

US made offer to bring home jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. Russia rejected it
1 year, 1 month ago

US made offer to bring home jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. Russia rejected it

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has made a new and significant offer aimed at securing the release of American detainees Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, but Russia has rejected the offer, the State Department said Tuesday. Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, has been jailed in Russia since his December 2018 arrest on espionage-related charges that both he and …

Biden takes a political hit but brings Americans home
1 year, 3 months ago

Biden takes a political hit but brings Americans home

CNN  

CNN — President Joe Biden’s deal with Iran that unlocks $6 billion in Tehran’s frozen funds to bring five imprisoned Americans home is creating the kind of terrible optics and an opening for his domestic foes that a politically weakened president can ill afford. Former President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social network that the move had created a …

White House calls video of imprisoned US citizen Paul Whelan ‘reassuring’
1 year, 4 months ago

White House calls video of imprisoned US citizen Paul Whelan ‘reassuring’

Al Jazeera  

Whelan has been detained in Russia for more than four years on espionage charges that he and the US say are illegitimate. The administration of United States President Joe Biden has said that it was comforted to see video footage of Paul Whelan, a US citizen jailed in Russia on espionage charges. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, White House spokesperson …

US ambassador makes third visit to jailed journalist Evan Gershkovich
1 year, 4 months ago

US ambassador makes third visit to jailed journalist Evan Gershkovich

Al Jazeera  

Ambassador Lynne Tracy renewed her appeal for Russia to release the reporter as well as imprisoned US Marine Paul Whelan. The United States ambassador to Russia has reiterated her call for the release of journalist Evan Gershkovich after making a third visit to the jailed Wall Street Journal reporter. “Once again, the United States calls on the Russian Federation to …

Biden adviser says US is pressing for the release of reporter who has spent 100 days in Russian jail
1 year, 6 months ago

Biden adviser says US is pressing for the release of reporter who has spent 100 days in Russian jail

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday said the U.S. has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as Friday marked the 100th day of the journalist being detained by the Russian government. Sullivan said he also spoke with Gershkovich’s family representatives and Wall Street …

Russia extends arrest of US journalist Evan Gershkovich by 3 months
1 year, 7 months ago

Russia extends arrest of US journalist Evan Gershkovich by 3 months

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — A Russian court on Tuesday extended the arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich by three months in a closed-door hearing emblematic of the secrecy that has marked the case against the first United States correspondent since the Cold War to be detained in Russia on spying charges. State news agency Tass said the session was closed …

US ambassador visits American Paul Whelan at Russian prison
1 year, 8 months ago

US ambassador visits American Paul Whelan at Russian prison

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

US finds WSJ reporter in Russia is wrongfully detained
1 year, 8 months ago

US finds WSJ reporter in Russia is wrongfully detained

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Biden administration formally determined Monday that a Wall Street …

‘Let him go’, says Joe Biden to Russia on detained U.S. journalist
1 year, 9 months ago

‘Let him go’, says Joe Biden to Russia on detained U.S. journalist

The Hindu  

President Joe Biden on March 31 urged Russia to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich after the country’s security service arrested him on espionage charges — allegations that the newspaper denies. “Let him go,” Mr. Biden told reporters at the White House on Friday morning when asked about his message to Russia on the arrest of Mr. Gershkovich. Russia’s …

Putin has broken one of the last taboos in a naked ploy for leverage
1 year, 9 months ago

Putin has broken one of the last taboos in a naked ploy for leverage

The Telegraph  

No one who knows Evan Gershkovich believes he is a spy. Under expanded war-time national security laws, that might be enough for the FSB to come up with a narrowly legal pretext for holding him, however absurd. The entire US press corps can be relied on to pressure the White House to get their colleague back, adding to the likelihood …

Blinken reveals US has put forward a ‘serious proposal’ to free Paul Whelan from Russia
1 year, 10 months ago

Blinken reveals US has put forward a ‘serious proposal’ to free Paul Whelan from Russia

CNN  

CNN — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly revealed for the first time Thursday that the United States has put forward a “serious proposal” to secure wrongfully detained Paul Whelan’s release from Russia. Notably, prior to Thursday’s engagement, the last time Blinken spoke with Lavrov – and the only other time the two have spoken directly since the war …

US had ‘direct conversations’ with Russia on Paul Whelan since Griner’s release, State Department says
2 years ago

US had ‘direct conversations’ with Russia on Paul Whelan since Griner’s release, State Department says

CNN  

CNN — US officials “have had direct conversations with Russian officials regarding Paul Whelan,” an American wrongfully detained in Russia, since the release of fellow wrongfully detained American Brittney Griner, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Tuesday. Whelan, who called CNN exclusively from his remote penal colony in the hours following Griner’s release, said he hoped President Joe Biden and …

US marks anniversary of Paul Whelan’s detention in Russia
2 years ago

US marks anniversary of Paul Whelan’s detention in Russia

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is marking the four-year anniversary of the detention in Russia of American businessman Paul Whelan, whose continued imprisonment is one of several major irritants in tattered relations between Washington and Moscow. Blinken said Whelan and his family are “suffering through an unfathomable ordeal” and he again condemned the American’s conviction, which was based on secret …

US marks four year anniversary of Paul Whelan detention in Russia
2 years ago

US marks four year anniversary of Paul Whelan detention in Russia

Al Jazeera  

The former US marine is serving a 16-year sentence for alleged espionage, though his family maintains his innocence. The administration of United States President Joe Biden is marking the four-year anniversary of American businessman Paul Whelan‘s detention in Russia, an imprisonment that remains a major irritant in relations between Washington and Moscow. Today marks a terrible milestone for Paul Whelan: …

Biden administration renews commitment to free Paul Whelan on fourth anniversary of his detention in Russia
2 years ago

Biden administration renews commitment to free Paul Whelan on fourth anniversary of his detention in Russia

CNN  

CNN — The Biden administration on Wednesday renewed its commitment to secure the release of American Paul Whelan on the fourth anniversary of his wrongful detention in Russia, as Whelan’s family expressed hope that he would not mark yet another milestone in Russian prison. “Today marks four years that Paul Whelan has spent wrongfully detained, away from his family, suffering …

How Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison puts the spotlight on Paul Whelan
2 years, 1 month ago

How Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison puts the spotlight on Paul Whelan

Firstpost  

Paul Whelan, a former Marine who became a corporate security executive, was arrested at a Moscow hotel in December 2018 and accused of spying. He was convicted in June 2020 on espionage charges, which the US government says were manufactured The release on Thursday of Brittney Griner, the American basketball star imprisoned in Russia, also puts a spotlight on Paul …

'Devastated' family of American prisoner backs Griner deal
2 years, 1 month ago

'Devastated' family of American prisoner backs Griner deal

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The family of an American detained in Russia for nearly …

Paul Whelan was left behind in Brittney Griner swap — here's why it's so hard to get him out of Russia
2 years, 1 month ago

Paul Whelan was left behind in Brittney Griner swap — here's why it's so hard to get him out of Russia

Raw Story  

This week, President Joe Biden managed to broker a prisoner swap with Russia, allowing the release of basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for Russia being handed Viktor Bout, an arms trafficker known as the "merchant of death." On Thursday's edition of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," reporter Andrea Mitchell detailed the key reason why it has been so hard for the …

Republicans slam Biden for putting American lives at risk with Griner prisoner swap
2 years, 1 month ago

Republicans slam Biden for putting American lives at risk with Griner prisoner swap

Daily Mail  

Republicans on Thursday accused Joe Biden of putting American lives at risk with news that basketball star Brittney Griner had been released from Russian prison in a prisoner swap. Republicans said the deal to free Griner showed the Biden administration favoured celebrities over veterans such as Whelan, a former Marine imprisoned on espionage charges Hours earlier, President Joe Biden announced …

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too
2 years, 1 month ago

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too

NPR  

Biden vows to bring longtime detainee Paul Whelan home from Russia too Enlarge this image toggle caption Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images As the Biden administration celebrates the homecoming of one prominent American detained in Russia — basketball star Brittney Griner — it's pledging to continue working to secure the release of another who's been …

Griner’s release raises fresh concerns about fate of Paul Whelan
2 years, 1 month ago

Griner’s release raises fresh concerns about fate of Paul Whelan

Al Jazeera  

As US welcomes release of basketball star Brittney Griner, calls grow to free other US citizen detained in Russia. But the release of Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, in a prisoner exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was serving a 25-year sentence in a US prison, effectively separates her fate from Whelan’s. Whelan expresses disappointment In July, …

Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he is ‘disappointed’ that more has not been done to secure his release
2 years, 1 month ago

Exclusive: Paul Whelan tells CNN he is ‘disappointed’ that more has not been done to secure his release

CNN  

Washington CNN — Detained American Paul Whelan expressed his frustration that more has not been done to secure his release in an exclusive CNN interview hours after another detained American, Brittney Griner, was freed. Whelan said he would like to speak to Biden directly, noting he had spoken to an administration official earlier in the day about the situation, but …

White House confirms Paul Whelan is back at Russian penal colony and 'feeling well'
2 years, 1 month ago

White House confirms Paul Whelan is back at Russian penal colony and 'feeling well'

Daily Mail  

The White House on Friday said Paul Whelan was back at a Russian penal colony and had told consular staff he was 'feeling well,' days after triggering concern by missing a scheduled phone call with his family. But John Kirby, a national security spokesman for the White House, said he could not comment further on the 52-year-old's health out of …

Former US marine imprisoned in Russia makes contact with family
2 years, 1 month ago

Former US marine imprisoned in Russia makes contact with family

Al Jazeera  

Paul Whelan’s brother has confirmed the American, convicted on espionage charges, gave ‘proof of life’ in phone call. Whelan’s brother David said in a statement that the former marine called his family on Friday for the first time since November 23. “So the call at least acts as a ‘proof of life’, even if nothing else has been explained: when …

American in Russia who could be part of prisoner swap resumes contact, family says
2 years, 1 month ago

American in Russia who could be part of prisoner swap resumes contact, family says

LA Times  

U.S. citizen Paul Whelan was convicted of spying by a Moscow court in June 2020. The family of Paul Whelan, an American imprisoned in Russia for espionage, said Friday that he has resumed contact after unexpectedly becoming unreachable in November. Various U.S. news organizations have reported that Washington has offered to exchange Griner and Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian …

US ‘deeply concerned’ about Whelan, citizen detained in Russia
2 years, 1 month ago

US ‘deeply concerned’ about Whelan, citizen detained in Russia

Al Jazeera  

The family of Paul Whelan, an American jailed on espionage charges in Russia, says they have not heard from him in days. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that US President Joe Biden’s administration was “deeply concerned” about the US Marine veteran, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on espionage charges. “We …

Russian diplomat says prisoner swap with US remains possible
2 years, 1 month ago

Russian diplomat says prisoner swap with US remains possible

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russia and the United States have repeatedly been on the verge of agreement on a prisoner exchange, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday, adding that a deal is still possible before the year’s end. Asked by reporters whether a swap is possible before the year’s end, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, responded: “There always is a chance.” …

Russia is NOT willing to engage Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap, says security adviser,
2 years, 1 month ago

Russia is NOT willing to engage Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan prisoner swap, says security adviser,

Daily Mail  

Russian government officials have not shown any willingness to engage with the United States on discussions about prisoner swaps involving American basketball star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, both of whom are being held in the country. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will show more willingness to negotiate on Griner and …

Biden meets Griner, Whelan families at White House
2 years, 3 months ago

Biden meets Griner, Whelan families at White House

Al Jazeera  

Families are pushing US to secure release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former US marine Paul Whelan, held in Russia. US President Joe Biden has met with the families of basketball star Brittney Griner and former marine Paul Whelan, amid continuing efforts in Washington to secure two American citizens’ release from detention in Russia. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House …

Griner, Whelan families to meet Biden amid US-Russia talks
2 years, 3 months ago

Griner, Whelan families to meet Biden amid US-Russia talks

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden plans to meet at the White House on Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia, the White House announced Thursday. Since then, U.S officials have continued to press that offer in hopes of getting serious negotiations underway, and have …

Blinken, Russian top diplomat speak about Griner, Whelan
2 years, 5 months ago

Blinken, Russian top diplomat speak about Griner, Whelan

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday in the highest-level known contact between the two sides since Russia invaded Ukraine, with Blinken urging Russia to accept a deal to win the release of American detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. Russian officials gave no public hint whether Blinken had …

Russia says ‘no agreements yet’ on deal to free Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan
2 years, 5 months ago

Russia says ‘no agreements yet’ on deal to free Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Lavrov on Thursday said Moscow has not …

Kremlin poker-faced on US swap offer to free Griner, Whelan
2 years, 5 months ago

Kremlin poker-faced on US swap offer to free Griner, Whelan

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — The Kremlin warned Thursday that a possible prisoner swap with the United States involving American basketball star Brittney Griner needs to be negotiated quietly without fanfare. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Washington had offered Russia a deal that would bring home Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan. A person familiar with the matter …

In rare contact, U.S. offers Russia prisoner swap deal for Griner, Whelan
2 years, 5 months ago

In rare contact, U.S. offers Russia prisoner swap deal for Griner, Whelan

The Hindu  

The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. In a sharp reversal of previous policy, Blinken also said he expects to speak with his Kremlin counterpart for the first time since before Russia invaded Ukraine to discuss the deal …

In rare contact, US offers Russia deal for Griner, Whelan
55 years ago

In rare contact, US offers Russia deal for Griner, Whelan

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. He did not offer details on the proposed deal outlined to the Russians, though a person familiar with the matter said the U.S. government has offered to trade convicted …

US offers to swap ‘Russian arms dealer Bout for Griner, Whelan’
2 years, 5 months ago

US offers to swap ‘Russian arms dealer Bout for Griner, Whelan’

Al Jazeera  

Reports indicate that such an exchange could free Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner in exchange for Russian arms dealer. The United States has put a “substantial proposal on the table” to facilitate the release of US citizens Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, both held by Russia in what the US has termed “wrongful detention”, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken …

Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan: Biden administration offers convicted Russian arms dealer in exchange for detained Americans
2 years, 5 months ago

Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan: Biden administration offers convicted Russian arms dealer in exchange for detained Americans

CNN  

Washington CNN — After months of internal debate, the Biden administration has offered to exchange Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year US prison sentence, as part of a potential deal to secure the release of two Americans held by Russia, Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, according to people briefed on the matter. Although Blinken did not …

Biden speaks to sister of US executive detained in Russia
2 years, 6 months ago

Biden speaks to sister of US executive detained in Russia

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden spoke by phone Friday with the sister of Paul Whelan, an American who has been imprisoned in Russia for more than three years, according to the White House. Biden’s phone call to Elizabeth Whelan came after Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris s poke earlier this week to the wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner, …

Biden spoke with Paul Whelan’s sister amid pressure to bring detained Americans home
2 years, 6 months ago

Biden spoke with Paul Whelan’s sister amid pressure to bring detained Americans home

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Joe Biden on Friday spoke with Paul Whelan’s sister about the former Marine’s detainment in Russia and “reaffirmed that he is committed to bringing Paul home as soon as possible,” according to a statement from a White House official. President Biden reaffirmed that he is committed to bringing Paul home as soon as possible, and the …

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