U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on February 13 that he had spoken the day before with Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who is being detained in Russia. Blinken told a forum on hostage diplomacy that U.S. efforts to bring home Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is also being held by Russia, continue every day. He gave no details about the call with Whelan, who was convicted of spying in 2020 and jailed for 16 years. Blinken did not mention Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with RFE/RL who has been in Russian custody since October 18.
Blinken Says He Spoke With Paul Whelan, U.S. Citizen Being Held By Russia
Imprisoned ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan (file photo)