President Joe Biden reassured the families of former Marine Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner that he and his administration are working to secure their release from Russian detention.
The White House described Whelan and Griner as being detained “under intolerable circumstances” in a readout of Biden’s separate Oval Office meetings with their families, including Griner’s wife Cherelle, and Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth. Prior to the visits, the White House had disclosed that the meetings were not indicative of progress toward a proposed prisoner swap with Russia.
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“He asked after the wellbeing of Elizabeth and Cherelle and their respective families during this painful time,” the White House stated. “The president appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Brittney and Paul from those who love them most, and acknowledged that every minute they are being held is a minute too long.”
The White House underscored previous meetings and conversations the families have had with Biden, national security aides, and the State Department after complaints the president had not spoken with them in person.
“We all admire the courage of the Whelan and Griner families in the face of these unimaginable circumstances, and we remain committed to reuniting them with their loved ones,” the White House said.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed Friday that Russia had not “responded” to the U.S. proposal, reportedly to swap Whelan and Griner for Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer being held in Illinois. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to provide more details other than the United States was depending on the same negotiating channels that freed former Marine Trevor Reed.
“He wants to make sure that they understand that they are front of mind, that Brittney and Paul are at front of mind for this president and his team and that we’re going to do everything that we can, working day and night, having those conversations — and making sure that we get them home,” she added.
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Whelan has been in Russian custody for 3 1/2 years on espionage charges. Griner, of the Phoenix Mercury, was found guilty of drug smuggling this summer and was sentenced to more than nine years in a penal colony.
