White House Spokeswoman Jen PsakiJen Psaki Trevor Reed’s parents met with Biden at the White House Democrats are targeting Big Oil ahead of the midterm elections. statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“During their meeting, the President reiterated his commitment to continue working to secure the release of Trevor, Paul Whelan and other Americans illegally detained in Russia and elsewhere, and to provide all possible assistance until they others are released and return to their homeland. “their families who are so passionate about their release,” said Psaki.
“The president’s national security team will remain in regular contact with the Reeds, the Whelan family and other families of Americans being held hostage or illegally detained abroad. “We are grateful for their cooperation and comments,” he said.
A Reeds spokesman also confirmed the meeting on Wednesday.
Trevor Reed was arrested in Russia in 2019 for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a drunken episode, an incident he says he does not remember. He was sentenced to nine years in prison and tried unsuccessfully to appeal the sentence.
The US government called his detention unfair and tried to negotiate with the Russians for his release.
Joey and Paula Reed protested outside the White House on Wednesday, seeking a meeting with Biden. They spoke with the president earlier this month when he traveled to Texas, their home state, and Biden had promised to meet with him in person during that phone call.
“I will see if I can see them,” Biden told reporters earlier Wednesday. “They are good people.”
Joy and Paula Reed said their son’s condition had worsened in prison and that communication with him had become more difficult since the United States imposed sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine. Reed is on a hunger strike to protest his treatment in a Russian prison, according to the family.
“Our son’s physical condition, like that of many other American hostages, is declining rapidly, as is our relationship with his hostages, so we think it’s urgent to talk to him,” Joey Reid told reporters outside. White House. on Wednesday.
Whelan, another former Marine, has also been jailed in Russia and convicted of espionage. His family denies the allegations and the US government has sought to secure his release. Biden raises Reed and Whelan cases directly with Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich Putin’s Trevor Reed’s parents meet with Biden in the White House Putin-Russia MORE when the two leaders met last summer.
Most recently, WNBA star Brittney Griner was jailed in Russia on drug charges.
