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Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
United States Representative to the United Nations
new york, new york
April 25, 2023
at the time of delivery
question: We bring you the GMA cover story. Paul Whelan has been held in Russia for more than four years, and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield called for his release yesterday at a dramatic session of the UN Security Council attended by Paul’s sister Elizabeth. T. They are both joining us this morning. Thank you for your participation. It was a very special moment at the United Nations yesterday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was chairing the meeting when you confronted him. But do you think there is something that moves Russians on this subject?
Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield: The Russians heard a strong message from me, but they also heard a strong message from the other 13 members of the Security Council. They did not have a single voice in the room supporting their provocative and aggressive actions against Ukrainians. increase. I wanted you to see Elizabeth’s face and how their actions affected their family. I think he thought so.
question: What did you see when you saw his face yesterday?
Elizabeth Whelan: Well, I was surprised that he was looking in my direction at all. I really thought he was just shuffling papers, but I was really happy to see me standing as his big brother’s face. My brother is in a labor camp in a faraway state, but he’s not someone Lavrov has to deal with, not who he has to be. But to be there, I think a physical presence reminding him of Paul’s unjust detention probably made sense.
question: Your family has said without shame that they believe the United States should do more to bring your brother home. Are you satisfied with what President Biden and his administration are doing?
MS Whelan: There are so many very talented and intelligent people who are instrumental in bringing Paul home, but we are always concerned. Paul has been left behind twice. it’s just a fact. And it’s really important to stress that it will never happen again.Paul Whelan has to be in any deal that happens in the future. But I believe I can get him back.
question: I’ve talked So the offer was made?
Ambassador Thomas Greenfield: An offer was placed on the table. Secretary of State Brinken has presented a proposal and we are urging the Russians to accept it and allow Paul to return to his family. Elizabeth said yesterday that she doesn’t know who her brother is. It was a powerful message for all of us to hear.
question: It’s very impressive. Haven’t you talked to your brother in five years?
MS Whelan: yes. I spoke to him before Christmas 2018 when he said he was going to help his friend in Moscow. I can. They are the only ones he can call. But I have never seen a picture of him and never heard his voice. we miss him
question: What did you learn from your parents in a short phone call?
MS Whelan: Now, unusually, yesterday he could actually say he saw us at the United Nations. I was.
question: I am also surprised by that.
Ambassador Thomas Greenfield: me too.
MS Whelan: yes.
question: yes. And he could see and hear what was going on, and they showed him.
MS Whelan: that’s right. So I don’t know if he listened to us or what we said, but that we’re standing up for him, that we’re not giving up, that the United Nations is talking about Paul Whelan. The fact that he knows what he’s heard – I think that’s really important to him.
question: Of course, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovic is also currently detained in Russia. If there is any agreement here, do you think it will be a package deal?
Ambassador Thomas Greenfield: I can’t say what will happen. All I can say is that we are committed to returning them and all Americans who have been wrongfully arrested and detained in Russia. We will continue to do so.
question: We all think about those things. Thank you for coming from the morning.
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