The family of former US Marine Paul Whelan fears that the Biden administration will exclude his issue from negotiations with Russia in order to secure the release of Ivan Gershkovich. Recall that a few days ago, Russian prosecutors charged a Wall Street Journal journalist with espionage.

Since the beginning of last year, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the US has openly negotiated with Moscow for the release of three American citizens. Trevor Reed, a former US Marine, was released in a prisoner exchange in April 2022. Whelan was not involved in a controversial prisoner swap like the one in December when Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman helped free Britney Grainer in exchange for a Russian arms dealer known as the “dealer of death.”

Republicans then accused President Joe Biden of favoring celebrities over veterans as Whelan languishes in a Russian prison on espionage charges that his family and the US government say are unfounded.

“I am very disappointed that nothing has been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest approaches,” Whelan told CNN by phone from the remote Russian prison where he is serving a 16-year sentence.

“I was arrested for a crime that never happened,” he said. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.” “My bags are ready. I’m ready to go home. I just need a plane to pick me up.” Obviously, I’m a hostage,” Whelan added at the time.

Paul Whelan was arrested on charges of espionage during what he said was a tourist trip to Moscow in December 2018. In 2020, he was sentenced to 16 years in a maximum security prison. He denied all accusations, which his family and the US government called unfounded.

A senior US defense official quoted by NBC News also said the US tried to secure Whelan’s freedom, but Russia refused to release him without taking a Russian spy in return.

“They treat him differently. They say it’s espionage. They said there was either one choice (Greiner) or nothing,” he said.

According to CNN, Wall Street Journal