Additional Coverage:
Paul Whelan’s Harrowing Journey
In December 2022, Paul Whelan was imprisoned in a Russian labor camp, working on winter coats. When he was summoned, he hoped for news of his release. Instead, he was told that Brittney Griner was being freed for Viktor Bout.
Whelan’s exclusion from the exchange stunned him. He had expected to be freed with Trevor Reed, whose health had deteriorated. But Russia had secured the release of three other individuals, including Maria Butina, who had targeted American political circles.
Whelan faced harsh conditions in prison, including sleep deprivation and isolation. He befriended younger prisoners from Central Asian countries who helped him stay strong. They shared secret cellphones that enabled them to communicate with prisoners fighting in Ukraine.
Whelan’s family and the Biden administration continued to push for his release, but negotiations stalled. In March 2023, the arrest of journalist Evan Gershkovich raised fears that Whelan would be left behind.
Finally, after months of negotiations, a prisoner swap was arranged. Whelan and Gershkovich were released in exchange for Vadim Krasikov, a convicted FSB assassin. President Biden thanked Chancellor Scholz for Germany’s role in facilitating the release.
Whelan was held in solitary confinement before his release. He didn’t believe he was going home until he saw the English Channel. The sight of the White Cliffs of Dover, a beacon for British pilots during World War II, brought him to tears.
Upon landing at Joint Base Andrews, Whelan was greeted by President Biden and Vice President Harris. He was reunited with his sister and presented with an American flag pin by the president.
As Whelan watched the Paris Olympics, he saw Brittney Griner on TV, advocating for his freedom. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that Griner had achieved her dream while he was still facing uncertainty.