Former Marine Paul Whelan recently gave his first interview with NBC News after his return to the U.S. He expressed devastation upon hearing that WNBA star Brittney Griner was being released from Russian detention while he was not. The U.S. had traded a Russian arms dealer for Griner, leaving Whelan behind. Whelan, who had been imprisoned for more than five years, kept his spirits up by singing the national anthem every morning. He was released in a prisoner swap involving four individuals, including two journalists, journalist Evan Gershkovich, and Russian British national Vladimir Kara-Murza. Despite his challenging experience in Russian prison, Whelan remained resilient and adamant in denying the espionage charges brought against him. He endured difficult conditions in prison, including minimal food and health challenges, such as contracting what he believed was Covid. Whelan emphasized the need for strong diplomatic action against leaders of rogue nations like Putin. He criticized the idea of negotiating with Putin and expressed doubts about Trump’s claim regarding prisoner release. Whelan’s eventual release came after he was asked to sign a pardon request, indicating to him that his ordeal was possibly coming to an end. Now back in Michigan, Whelan is adjusting to post-traumatic stress disorder, medical issues, and potential challenges in finding employment. Despite these difficulties, he remains grateful for the support he has received and is considering reinventing himself in a new career.
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