Senator Peters Statement on Release of Michigander Paul Whelan

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement on the release of Michigander Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who was unjustly detained and sentenced by Russian authorities in December 2018:

“Today is a joyous and long overdue day for Paul, his family, and all who have been working tirelessly to get him back home to Michigan. For the past several years, I have worked with Administration officials, my colleagues, and Paul’s family to press for his release, and I’m beyond relieved that today marks the end of this unimaginable nightmare for Paul and his loved ones. Michigan welcomes him home with open arms.” 

“I’m also relieved that American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was wrongly imprisoned by Russian authorities for simply doing his job, will too be coming home to him family and friends.”

Peters has continuously pressed for Whelan’s release since he was detained in Russia more than five years ago and has worked with Paul’s family as well as the Administration and U.S. Department of State to secure his release and safe return to Michigan. During the Trump Administration, Peters led several efforts calling for “all appropriate” action to be taken to obtain Whelan’s release. Peters also lead a bipartisan resolution calling for the immediate release of Whelan from authorities under the Russian government, which passed in the U.S. Senate unanimously in 2021. Peters again led a bipartisan coalition in introducing a resolution calling for the immediate release of Whelan, which again passed the Senate unanimously last year. Peters additionally raised the issue of securing Whelan’s release with top Cabinet officials in both the Trump and Biden Administrations, including current National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.  

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