US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone on Wednesday (16) with American Paul Whelan, who is being held in a prison camp in Russia, according to a source familiar with the case. CNN .
The top US diplomat told Whelan to “keep the faith and we’re doing everything possible to get him home as soon as possible,” the source said of the call.
This is the second time Blinken has spoken with Whelan, who has been detained in Russia for more than four years, the source said. The other call between Whelan and Blinken took place on Dec. 30, another source told CNN .
Whelan, who is considered by the US government to be wrongfully detained, was able to make calls from his prison camp in Mordovia, but the source declined to elaborate on how the call to Blinken came about.
Paul Whelan told his parents that “he was able to have a long and frank conversation with Secretary Blinken,” his brother David Whelan told the CNN on Wednesday. David Whelan did not provide further details about the call.
“I think Secretary Blinken obviously sent a message, and that message is for Paul and for our family, that the US government continues to stand up for Paul and his release,” David Whelan later said on The Lead. CNN .
“I think it’s also a message to the Kremlin that the US government has not given up and, in fact, its top foreign policy official is willing to call a prisoner, which is, I think, surprising,” he added.
The conversation comes as the Biden administration continues to reiterate to Russia the proposal they put on the table for Whelan’s release more than eight months ago. Russia has not responded satisfactorily, two government officials told the CNN .
While Whelan’s proposal is “without a doubt” still considered by the US to be a real offer, a senior administration official explained, the lack of a relevant Russian response – along with the wrongful arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich earlier this year – has forced the US to continue efforts to seek another offer to put on the table.
The senior government official said “it remains a necessity for us to figure out how to resolve this.”
“If we can’t make that happen based on what’s available to us right now, we’ll need to figure out what’s needed so we can bring our people home,” the official said.
The Biden administration continues to scour the world for offers that might induce Russia to release the two wrongfully detained Americans, as reported by the CNN earlier this year.
The US currently has no high-ranking Russian spy in its custody, current and former US officials say, leading to the need to turn to allies for help.
Elizabeth Whelan told CNN last week that he hoped efforts to secure his brother’s release would go faster.
“This glacial pace – I’m not sure we’re at the point where you can say everything has been done to try to get Paul home,” she said.
“As Paul’s sister, I deeply feel this sense of urgency and frustration. I don’t want to make it sound like people don’t care, because they definitely do. But what is needed is a greater awareness of the fact that time may be running out,” she said.
“We don’t know if the Russians will continue to discuss how to make a trade or whatever for Paul in the future.”
David Whelan also said the family has begun to accept the fact that his brother may have to serve his 16-year prison sentence.
“I think we’ve now reached a point where we’ve decided it could be up to 2034 before Paul comes home,” he said. “I don’t think there is any reason to think that what the US government is doing now will lead to Paul’s immediate release or even his release as soon as possible.”
“I think what we’re focusing on now is that he might have to serve his 16 years and the better we’re able to handle that, the more I think we’ll be able to survive and help him survive.” said David Whelan.
In an exclusive phone call to CNN in May, Whelan said he was confident his case is a top priority for the US government, but would like it to be resolved more quickly. He also expressed concern that he could be left behind again if the US secures Gershkovich’s release.
“This is an extreme concern for me and my family,” he said at the time.
The US failed to secure Whelan’s release in prisoner exchanges that brought home two other Americans wrongfully detained last year: Trevor Reed in April and Brittney Griner in December.
However, Whelan said in May that he had more confidence in US efforts to get him home than he did when he spoke to the CNN in December after Griner’s release.
“I have been told that I will not be left behind and that while Evan’s case is a priority, mine is also a priority and people are aware of the fact that this is having an extremely negative impact on me and my family. And I’m told the government is working tirelessly to get me out of here and home so they can focus efforts on Evan and his case,” Whelan said.
“There will be an end to this, and hopefully it will come sooner or later, but it’s depressing to go through it on a daily basis,” he said in May.
This story has been updated with additional details.
See also: Mercenaries advance and are 500 kilometers from Moscow
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
