WASHINGTON — U.S. and Russian officials will speak this week about detained American Paul Whelan, a former Marine whose release the Biden administration unsuccessfully sought along with WNBA star Brittney Griner.
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Monday a “conversation at a high level will take place this week” regarding Whelan’s case, but did not specify what day it would occur or which representatives would participate.
President Joe Biden’s administration is facing criticism for negotiating the release of Griner in exchange for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, while failing to bring home Whelan, who has been jailed since 2018 on espionage charges the U.S. calls unjustified.
