Overview

• Paul Whelan, an American prisoner in Russia on espionage charges since 2020, has labeled his exclusion from past prisoner swaps the equivalent of a 'death warrant', suggesting it puts him at risk due to worsening prison conditions.
• In an interview from his prison camp in Mordovia, Whelan shared details of his phone conversation with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in which he expressed concerns about his prolonged detention.
• The American prisoner, who believes he is considered a 'high value' target for Russia, criticized President Joe Biden's decision to quickly swap Russian prisoners Konstantin Yaroshenko and Viktor Bout, calling it a mistake that could complicate his own release.
• Despite reports of detrimental living conditions in the prison, including a poor diet and neglected maintenance, Whelan has been reassured that he won't be left behind.
• Russia has refused to include Whelan in previous prisoner exchanges, leading to the former U.S. Marine's continued imprisonment despite his insistence on his innocence and America's view of him as wrongfully detained.