Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan Marks Five Years in Russian Detention Amid Fears of Being 'Left Behind'

Despite U.S. State Department's repeated proposals for his release, Whelan expresses concern over the Biden administration's handling of his case and fears he may be overlooked in prisoner swap negotiations.

• Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, has been held in Russia for five years on espionage charges that he and the U.S. government deny.
• Whelan has expressed fears of being left behind in ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, particularly concerned that the Biden administration might secure the release of another American prisoner, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, leaving him behind.
• Whelan has criticized the Biden administration for not doing more to secure his release, stating that he feels abandoned and that diplomatic efforts have failed.
• Whelan was not included in two previous prisoner swaps between the U.S. and Russia that resulted in the release of other Americans, leading to his concern of being left behind a third time.
• The U.S. State Department has made several significant proposals to Russia for Whelan's release, but they have been rejected. The department continues to work on securing his release.

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