The White House confirms that the Biden administration continues to pursue the release of two detained Americans in Russia. Officials say Washington has not abandoned its efforts to secure the return of Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, and Paul Whelan, a former U.S. corporate security executive held in Moscow. These statements were made as part of a broader briefing by a White House press pool representative. [citation: White House briefing]
When asked about a message for Gershkovich and Whelan, President Joe Biden responded succinctly that the work would go on, adding that the United States is not giving up. [citation: White House press remarks]
Earlier, CNN, citing a representative from the State Department, reported that Washington put forward a serious offer during recent discussions with Moscow aimed at advancing the release of Paul Whelan. The reported bid reflected the complex and high-stakes nature of negotiations involving detained Americans and factors such as judicial process and potential exchange terms. [citation: CNN report citing State Department official]
State Department spokespersons reiterated that Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains firmly committed to securing Paul Whelan’s return home. This commitment has been echoed in public statements and through ongoing diplomatic channels, emphasizing the priority placed on U.S. citizens abroad who face extended detention. [citation: State Department statements]
Paul Whelan has been detained in Russia since December 2018 after being charged with espionage. He was sentenced to a 16-year term and transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia to serve the sentence. Whelan has repeatedly denied the charges. [citation: Russian court records and family statements]
The Moscow City Court recently rejected a request to extend the detention period for Evan Gershkovich, who has faced espionage accusations since his arrest at the end of March of the current year. Gershkovich remains in custody and faces a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years. In September, Gershkovich’s legal team filed a complaint challenging the three-month extension of his pretrial detention. [citation: Moscow court ruling]
Meanwhile, Kremlin officials have sought to address a separate inquiry about the status of a Ukrainian journalist, underscoring the broader international attention these cases attract and the sensitivity of media-related detentions amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations. [citation: Kremlin press briefings]
As the case developments unfold, observers in the United States and allied capitals monitor the diplomatic effort closely. The discussions highlight the balance officials seek between principled support for detained citizens and the broader strategic considerations that shape negotiations with Moscow. [citation: expert commentary]