Detained U.S. Marine Paul Whelan said Thursday he is “disappointed” the Biden administration wasn’t more aggressive in trying to secure his release from Russia as it pushed to free WNBA star Brittney Griner.
“I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was arrested for a crime that never occurred,” Mr. Whelan said in a phone interview with CNN. “I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”
Mr. Whelan told CNN he was surprised that he was not included in the deal for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a swap that secured Ms.