Paul Whelan, an American detained in Russia, wonders why he was left behind
Paul Whelan questions why he was left behind in prisoner swap that freed fellow American Trevor Reed.
The world knows this charge was fabricated. Why hasn’t more been done to secure my release? he asks.
His family says it is a day of “varied emotions” and questions for them as they celebrate Reed’s release.
The Biden administration has said it will continue to work for Paul Whelan’s release, as well as that of detained WNBA player Brittney Griner.
“I expect to continue communication with State and the NSC on an extremely regular basis until Paul is returned also,” Spokeswoman Heather A. Wilson says.
Roger Carstens and his team continue to do everything we can to seek his release from Russian custody, a State Department spokesperson says.
The White House says it will continue to advocate for the release of Paul Whelan, despite the exchange of a Ukrainian hostage for him.
The release of another hostage, Konstantin Yaroshenko, “narrows the chances” of his release, Jen Psaki says.
But she declines to go into any further details about negotiations to bring Welfan home.
His father says he is confident President Biden cares and that his family has had more outreach from the Trump administration than the previous one.
