'I don’t understand why I’m still here.' Paul Whelan speaks from Russia as Britney Griner is released

(WXYZ) — It’s been nearly 4 years since Paul Whelan was last his home in Novi.

Today, with the news that another American has been released from Russia without him, he says he’s disappointed with the Biden administration.

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Haley Stevens is Paul’s Representative in Congress and the new co-chair of the Congressional task force on American hostages and Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

We asked her what the U.S. could still do.

WXYZ’s Brian Abel asked, “What leverage does the U.S. have at this point to negotiate with? What’s left?”

“Well certainly there’s a lot of talented people in the administration that are continuing to work on this,” said Haley Stevens. “Paul does not want to be forgotten and we have got to get smart. I certainly can’t talk about classified information and steps in the negotiation process that are going on, but I can tell you this, I will not be deterred by the Russians.”