The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations called on Russia to release detained Americans, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and ex-Marine Paul Whelan. The ambassador accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of treating individuals as bargaining chips during a U.N. Security Council meeting.
Arrests of Americans in Russia have become more frequent, with nine U.S. citizens currently detained amid escalating tensions between the two countries, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Paul Whelan, a corporate security director from Michigan, was arrested in Moscow in 2018 and convicted of espionage in 2020. He is serving a 16-year sentence that both he and Washington claim is baseless.
The U.S. ambassador urged Russia to consider the emotional toll on Whelan's sister, who has not seen her brother in four years. The ambassador emphasized the need for Russia to end the practice of holding individuals as pawns.
Despite previous attempts, Russia declined to include Whelan in a prisoner swap deal that saw the release of other individuals. The U.S. ambassador highlighted the case of another American, journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges in Yekaterinburg in March 2023.
Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, faces accusations of espionage for allegedly gathering secret information about a military equipment plant. The U.S., Gershkovich, and the Journal deny these charges.
Russian courts have a high conviction rate, with prosecutors having the authority to appeal sentences they deem too lenient. Despite the challenges, the U.S. remains committed to securing the release of detained Americans and ending the practice of using individuals as bargaining tools.
