Paul Whelan, an American who has been detained in Russia for more than five years, expressed renewed optimism about US efforts to secure his release in a call with CNN. However, he also acknowledged concern about the recent arrest of a US soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, in Russia. Whelan said he was informed of Black’s arrest by his parents but did not know any details. Black traveled to Russia without permission to visit his girlfriend and was arrested on charges of theft in Vladivostok. Whelan expressed concern that if Black were designated as wrongfully detained, it could complicate negotiations for his own release and that of detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
The State Department has not yet made a determination in Black’s case, but if he is declared wrongfully detained, it could restart negotiations for Whelan and Gershkovich. Whelan explained that in the past, negotiations for his release started fresh each time another person was involved. Despite this concern, Whelan sounded more positive about the US’ efforts to secure his release than in previous conversations. He mentioned feeling depressed around the anniversary of his detention in December but has since spoken to high-level officials who assured him that they are doing everything they can.
The Biden administration has put forward significant proposals to the Russians for Whelan’s release, including one that was rejected in late November. Bringing home Whelan and Gershkovich has been a top priority for US officials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Whelan multiple times, with the most recent conversation taking place in mid-February. Whelan expressed his hopes that the situation is near resolution but emphasized the need to speak to top officials, including the president, to make them aware of his plight.
A State Department spokesperson praised Whelan for his resilience in difficult circumstances and called for his immediate release from Russia. Whelan reiterated his innocence, stating that he has done nothing wrong and is being held hostage. He stressed the importance of top officials understanding his situation and providing help to resolve the issue. Whelan remains hopeful that ongoing negotiations will lead to his release but expressed concern about the potential complications arising from Black’s arrest.
Whelan also discussed the challenges of negotiating for his release with multiple individuals involved, noting that each new person added to the negotiations seemed to reset the process. Despite these obstacles, he remains optimistic about the efforts being made on his behalf. Whelan emphasized the need for high-level intervention and continued engagement from US officials to ensure that his case is resolved swiftly and positively.Overall, the situation remains complex, with various factors potentially affecting the progress of negotiations for Whelan’s release.
