The decision to secure the release of Brittney Griner has left the nation divided. Many supporters have stood by President Joe Biden’s decision to bring the WNBA star home through a one-for-one swap deal. At the same time, many critics have highlighted the disappointing result for retired US marine Paul Whelan, who remains incarcerated in Russia. Recently, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk shared a five-word-long stern message on Twitter about Griner’s release from her exile in Russia.

The White House agreed to a one-for-one prisoner swap for the release of Brittney Griner. In exchange, the US authorities released convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. However, Paul Whelan, who was a part of the initial deal offered by the US, was left behind in the process. Meanwhile, Elon Musk recently offered his critical take on the whole prisoner swap scenario involving Griner.

Elon Musk offers harsh take on the release of Brittney Griner

Elon Musk responded to a suggestion from a Twitter user regarding the Biden administration leaving Paul Whelan behind in Russia. The user had pointed out the government swiftly abandoning Afghanistan, leaving behind a lot of Americans on foreign soil. Therefore, the same administration leaving behind Whelan shouldn’t come as a surprise.

In his response, the Twitter CEO offered a serious message condemning the Biden administration’s decision. Musk wrote, “Never leave a marine behind. Never.”

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Musk seemed to be unhappy with the Biden Administration’s decision to agree to the one-for-one swap deal. As a result, Paul Whelan remains stuck in the IK-17 penal colony for nearly four years. President Biden assured that his administration will continue to fight for Whelan’s freedom. However, Musk slammed the decision that led to Griner’s release despite the assurances from the government.

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Whelan was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years in prison under espionage charges. The former US marine and the US government have repeatedly denied the charges. As per reports, the American negotiators tried hard to include Whelan in the prisoner exchange. However, the Kremlin was persistent about the sole release of Griner. 

Putin offers hope for Paul Whelan

Following the release of Brittney Griner, Vladimir Putin spoke on the possibility of more prisoner swaps happening in the future between the US and Russia.

The Russian president responded positively by stating that more swaps were’ possible’. Putin said, “We aren’t refusing to continue this work in the future.”

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He also suggested that compromises from both sides resulted in a successful prisoner exchange on December 8. Thus, Putin’s positive comments come as a ray of hope for Paul Whelan and his family.