The U.S. Administration has once again insisted that it will not relent in its efforts to free Marine Paul Whelan, just on a day that marks four years since his arrest by Russia.
«We will not stop, we will not let up, we will not cease until all Americans can celebrate Paul’s return,» said U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a statement.
Sullivan also praised the «generosity of spirit» shown by Whelan’s family in celebrating the release of basketball player Birttney Griner while her relative remains in Russian custody.
«I appreciate the cooperation of the Whelan family as we work to reunite them with Paul. And I think of them, and Paul, especially on this day,» Sullivan concluded.
The White House offered to exchange the player and the former Marine — accused of espionage — for mercenary Viktor Bout, in U.S. custody. However, Whelan did not enter into the negotiations, since Moscow considers that he has a different status due to the accusations against him.
Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, was sentenced by the Russian judiciary to 16 years in prison on espionage charges.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
