United States: The United States envoy to the United Nations has made a direct appeal to Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov, urging him to release two American citizens, Mr. Paul Whelan and Mr. Evan Gershkovich, who are currently detained in Russia.

Ms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia of using the men as “political bargaining chips” and “human pawns,” calling for an end to this “barbaric practice.”

“I am calling on you, right now, to release Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich immediately and to let Paul and Evan come home. And to cease this barbaric practice once and for all,” the ambassador stated at the UN Security Council meeting in New York City.

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield further noted that “using people as pawns is a strategy of weakness. These are not the actions of a responsible country. And while Russia plays political games, real people suffer.”

The Wall Street Journal and press freedom groups have also dismissed allegations against Mr. Gershkovich as baseless.

Mr. Whelan’s sister was present at the Security Council meeting, and Ms. Thomas-Greenfield urged Lavrov to “look into her eyes and see her suffering.”

The US National Security Advisor, Mr. Jake Sullivan, also criticised Russia for spurning attempts to bring Whelan back to the US and vowed to work until all Americans globally who are wrongfully detained or held hostage are released.

The detention of Americans in Russia has been an ongoing issue between the two countries. The US has repeatedly called for the release of both Mr. Whelan and Mr. Gershkovich.

The US government has accused Russia of using these detentions as a means of political leverage and has called for an end to this practice. The detention of American citizens in Russia has become a source of tension between the two countries and has strained their diplomatic relations.

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