NewsUSAFormer Marine Paul Whelan's family defends Biden's efforts

Former Marine Paul Whelan’s family defends Biden’s efforts

The American basketball player, Brittney Griner, after being released at the airport in San Antonio, USA. – San Antonio Express-News/Express / DPA

The family of former US Marine Paul Whelan, detained in Moscow since 2018, has ensured that his release is a high priority for US President Joe Biden, after former President Donald Trump criticized the release of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout .

Whelan’s sister has held a meeting with White House staff that would have conveyed confidence to the ex-marine’s family.

“The announcement of imminent talks with the Russian Federation is also positive news,” the relatives have indicated. “These initial steps give us hope that the third time will be the charm,” they have maintained.

Trump criticized this weekend the Biden Administration’s decision to release Viktor Bout in a prisoner exchange that included the release of professional basketball player Brittney Griner, jailed for ten months on drug trafficking charges after finding him oil cannabis during a search at the Moscow airport.

The ex-president affirmed that during his stay in the White House he did not agree to release Bout, in 2018, in exchange for the ex-marine, detained in Moscow for four years on accusations of espionage.

“I rejected a deal with Russia on a one-for-one exchange of the so-called ‘Merchant of Death’ for Paul Whelan. I would not have made the deal for a hundred people in exchange for someone who has killed untold numbers of people with his arms deals. “Trump said.

The White House offered to exchange the player and the ex-marine — accused of espionage — for Bout. However, Whelan did not enter the negotiations, as Moscow considers him to have a different status because of the allegations against him.

“Russia gave us no other option, as we were told,” the head of strategic communication for the National Security Agency, John Kirby, said on Sunday. “The only way to release Griner was by Bout,” he explained in an interview with Fox News.

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