Paul Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence in Russia on espionage charges he vehemently denies.
U.S. officials say Whelan is being wrongfully detained.
Numerous federal officials and members of Congress have called for Whelan’s release.
In a recent interview, Russian President Putin said negotiations for a potential prisoner exchange that would free detained journalist
Evan Gershkovich will probably be “crowned with success” but there was no agreement yet.
U.S. State Department officials countered that Gershkovich should have never been detained in the first place...and again demanded Russia release him and Whelan.
In the past the U.S. said Russia had repeatedly rejected what officials called “substantial” offers to gain the Americans release.
