US Making Efforts To Get US Marine Paul Whelan Free From Russia, Says Hostage Negotiator

American President Joe Biden’s government met on Monday to discuss the “next steps” to assure the release of former US Marine Paul Whelan. In 2020, Whelan was made a prisoner in Russia as he was charged with spying, said Biden’s top hostage negotiator. 

Hostage affairs envoy Roger Carstens told MSBNC, an American news-based TV channel, that both the president and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were working to fully secure the release of Whelan. He told another American news channel, CNN, that the government could very soon release fresh sanctions under a presidential executive order signed last summer.

On Thursday last week, US and Russia engaged in a prisoner swap involving American basketball star Brittney Griner, but failed to free Whelan. Biden claimed Russia was handling Whelan’s case differently but was determined to not give up.

Carstens said, “We’re working hard. We’re coming up with different ways to do this. We will not fail this mission.”

In another interview on CNN, Carsten divulged the government could soon use powers given in an executive order signed by Biden this summer that authenticated sanctions and visa bans for people who wrongfully detain American citizens.

“We’re working on target packages right now. It’s something that we discuss all the time. And it’s not going to be too long before you see something rolled out,” he told CNN.

According to Whelan’s brother David, he did not know anything about the theme of the meeting but knew it was taking place. 

Speaking to the British news agency Reuters, he said, “It’s great that the White House is not letting any grass grow under their feet. Given that it is coming just days after an exchange with Russia, it would seem unfair to set any expectations or pressure on the first steps to recalibrate on bringing Paul home.”

When asked about the applicable options the US have to get Whelan back home, Carstens said, “I would love to tell you about it, because, to me, they’re very exciting and interesting. But … in these negotiations, because they’re ongoing, we usually have to keep our cards close to our chest.”

Carstens also told CNN that he talked with Whelan on Friday, the very next day after the prisoner swap, and told him: “Paul, you have the commitment of this president … Keep the faith. We’re coming to get you.”