Elizabeth emphasized the need to focus on the real wrongdoers: the Kremlin and its leader, Putin.
Throughout Paul’s unjust detainment, the Whelan family has come to believe that Putin holds US citizens for ransom intent on causing chaos.
Griner found herself arrested in February 2022 and turned into a political pawn by Russia. Her detainment took place days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Whelans believe that critics attempting to pit the detainees’ families against each other had their own agenda. And the Whelans made a collective decision to support any action that resulted in the return of wrongfully detained Americans, even if it did not include Paul.
Griner’s wife and family shared this sentiment. And vowed not to let Twitter trolls or partisan agendas divide the families of the wrongfully detained.
Elizabeth Whelan stressed the importance of families supporting each other since they are the ones who truly understand the struggles faced by those with loved ones held captive.
