The U.S. State Government was in a continuous engagement with the Russian government for the release of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner. But the countries apparently could not reach an agreement on Whelan’s release. After months of captivity, Russia released Griner on Thursday in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout. Many fans and celebrities celebrated Griner coming back home. However, there were questions about the release of the former Marine.

After the WNBA star’s release, Whelan’s brother, David, gave his thoughts about it. He stated that he is glad for Griner. Now, Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth, has given her opinion about the whole situation.

Paul Whelan’s sister on Russia releasing only Brittney Griner

Elizabeth Whelan recently gave an interview to ‘NEWSMAX’?where she talked about the prisoner swap deal between Russia and the U.S. She stated that conditions in Russian prisons are brutal. The interviewer then asked her opinion about Paul Whelan being left behind by the government.

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Elizabeth replied, “Well unfortunately it’s really Russia’s fault. I mean overall.” She added that ever since Whelan’s arrest, he was put in a different category which made it difficult for Donald Trump’s administration and now Joe Biden’s administration to bring him back.

“My feeling is they purposely separated out Brittney Griner and the deal for her because they know how much trouble it would cause, it’s what they [Russian Government] delight in,” said Elizabeth.

President Biden expressed his regret in not bringing Whelan back to the country. He assured that the administration “will never give up.”

David Whelan on his brother being left behind

When David Whelan stated that officials had informed his family in advance of the outcome. He added that the early warning helped the family “mentally prepare” for the disappointment. Also, he noted that his brother’s hopes were high after knowing about the efforts of the U.S. government. However, it did not come to fruition this time.

David expressed his fears that the former Marine might not survive in the Russian prison. He said, “Increasingly, I worry that Paul himself won?t survive 12 more years in a Russian labour colony.”

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Paul Whelan was reportedly detained in 2018 for espionage while visiting the country for a friend’s marriage. He was sentenced to 16 years in jail in 2020.