US President Joe Biden on Friday called the sister of Paul Whelan, an American who is serving 16 years in Russian prison on espionage charges that he denies.
The conversation comes amid high tensions between Moscow and Washington over the war in Ukraine and also as the US aims to secure the release of two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion Brittney Griner from Russian detention.
The US leader told Elizabeth Whelan that "he is committed to bringing Paul home as soon as possible", a White House official said.
Mr Whelan was convicted on spying charges in Russia in 2020 and was sentenced to 16 years of hard labour.
"The US government will continue its efforts to secure the release of Paul as well as Brittney Griner and all other Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained around the world," the official said.
Griner plead guilty on Thursday to bringing vape cartridges with cannabis oil into the country, although she denied intending to break the law.
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Phoenix Mercury centre Brittney Griner during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Chicago Sky. AP -
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil. AFP -
Griner leaving a courtroom after a hearing in May. The Phoenix Mercury star, considered in some polls to be the US’s most gifted female athlete, could face 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs. AP -
Griner asked US President Joe Biden to free her from a Russian prison in a handwritten letter on July 4, 2022, portions of which were made public by her family. AFP -
Grineris escorted before a court hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, Russia on July 1, 2022. Reuters -
The US stepped up its push in March for consular access to Griner, who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling. AP -
Griner at the White House alongside teammates. Photo: US National Archives -
Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates with fans. Getty Images North America / AFP -
A man holds a sign for Brittney Griner Home during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA -
Griner, a player of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team was arrested in February at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport after some hash oil was detected and found in her luggage, for which she now could face a prison sentence of up to ten years. EPA -
Fans hold signs Griner during the first half of the WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. EPA -
A sign for Griner is displayed during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Angel City FC at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images / AFP -
The Khimki City Court reportedly had extended Greiner's detention for the duration of her trial on charges of drug smuggling that started on 01 July. EPA -
Griner gestures during a game against Australia at Saitama Super Arena in their Tokyo 2020 Olympic women's basketball quarterfinal game in Saitama, Japan August 4, 2021. Reuters -
Dallas Wings' Marina Mabrey wears shoes that have a "BG" logo on them, a reference to Brittney Griner, during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. AP -
"We Are BG 42" is displayed on the exterior of Footprint Center before the WNBA game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx on June 21, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Getty Images / AFP -
Minnesota Lynx's Aerial Powers wears a shirt in support of Griner during introductions for the team's WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm. Star Tribune / AP -
Griner poses with her gold medal in Women's Basketball at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, August 8, 2021. Reuters -
Brittney Griner with teammates Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins posing for pictures with their gold medals on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's basketball competition of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. AFP
Mr Biden has made Griner's release a top priority and the attention has rekindled media interest in Mr Whelan, a former head of global security at a US auto-parts supplier, who has been detained since 2018.
Russia and the US regularly clash over the detention of each other's citizens and sometimes exchange them in scenes reminiscent of the Cold War.
In April, former US Marine Trevor Reed, serving a nine-year sentence in Russia for violence, was exchanged for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, imprisoned in the US since 2010 for drug trafficking.
Families of Americans detained abroad rally at the White House
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Elizabeth Whelan holds a picture of her brother, Paul, who is currently jailed in Russia. All photos: Willy Lowry / The National -
Family members of Iranian-American businessman Emad Shargi, who has been detained in Iran since April 2018, speak in front of the White House. -
Ariana Shargi, daughter of Emad Shargi, poses for a photo in front of the White House. -
Trevor Reed's father, Joey, and his sister, Taylor, speak to reporters in front of the White House. -
Carine Kanimba's father, Paul Rusesabagina, a US permanent resident, has been jailed in Rwanda. -
Joey and Taylor Reed speak to reporters about Trevor Reed's release from a Russian prison. -
Teymoor and Tara Tahbaz display photos of their father, Morad, who is currently being held in Iran. -
A sign hangs at a rally for the families of Americans wrongfully detained abroad. -
Bahareh Shargi, whose husband, Emad, is currently being held in Iran, speaks to reporters. -
The families of Americans illegally detained abroad gather in front of the White House.
