Blinken had "long, frank" phone call with Paul Whelan
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018.
Watch CBS News
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018.
"I have been told that I won't be left behind," Whelan told CNN in a phone interview from prison.
The U.S. ambassador to Russia has visited Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan in a remote Russian prison.
Elizabeth Whelan -- the sister of Paul Whelan, an American who has been detained in Russia for more than four years -- attended the UN Security Council meeting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired on Monday.
This comes amid fears that efforts to bring him home could be diverted to deal with Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was recently wrongfully detained in Russia on espionage charges similar to Whelan.
The sister of Paul Whelan, a US citizen who is wrongfully detained in Russia, on Thursday expressed frustration at her brother's continued imprisonment in Russia and called on the White House to bring him home.
Whelan's twin brother, David Whelan, says the family does not trust that U.S. officials are doing everything that can be done to bring his brother home.
The Biden administration is marking the four-year anniversary of the detention in Russia of American businessman Paul Whelan, whose continued imprisonment is one of several major irritants in tattered relations between Washington and Moscow.
Her plane landed in San Antonio, Texas. Griner was freed from Russia in exchange for notorious international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Moscow said at the time it wanted "a spy for a spy."
Elizabeth Whelan said she is pleased to see Brittney Griner come home and that "any wrongfully detained American that comes back from overseas is a win for America."
"How do you continue to survive ... when you know that your government has failed twice to free you from a foreign prison?" he said in a statement.
The family of an American detained in Russia for nearly four years said Thursday that the Biden administration "made the right decision" in agreeing to a prisoner exchange that freed WNBA star Brittney Griner but they are "devastated" that Paul Whelan remains behind.
After a week of silence from former Marine and Novi man Paul Whelan, his brother sets his sight on getting him home.
The Biden administration has been trying for months to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American jailed in Russia, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, including through a possible prisoner swap with Moscow.
Griner has been sentenced for drug possession after vape canisters containing cannabis oil were found in her luggage.
President Biden met at the White House on Friday with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, both of whom remain jailed in Russia.
Cases of bovine tuberculosis have been confirmed among a dairy herd in Northern Lower Michigan.
The Detroit Police Department is seeking information from the public to help solve an armed robbery investigation.
A video that was widely shared on social media around Sterling Heights, showing a man striking a dog, has resulted in a police investigation.
A Huron Township man was arrested and charged after police investigated a report of criminal sexual conduct involving a teenager.
Canadian authorities say they intercepted nearly 600 pounds of suspected methamphetamine inbound from Michigan at the Blue Water Bridge.
Three men are in custody after a 19-year-old man was found fatally shot Monday near Proud Lake in Commerce Township, Michigan.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from Detroit on Sunday was diverted to Alabama due to "civil unrest" in the region, according to a company spokesperson.
Cases of bovine tuberculosis have been confirmed among a dairy herd in Northern Lower Michigan.
The Detroit Police Department is seeking information from the public to help solve an armed robbery investigation.
A local animal outreach group has helped a Detroit man and his dogs get off the streets and into a new home.
Union Vice President Laura Dickerson confirmed that the worker, TJ Sabula, "has no discipline on his record."
Some General Motors employees are taken aback by this year's profit-sharing checks, with it being $4,000 less than the previous one.
While many assume a "harsh" winter, or this bone-chilling, sustained cold, is the enemy of asphalt, the real culprit is temperature fluctuation.
In Metro Detroit, drivers are paying about $2.90 per gallon, which is 2 cents less than last week and 29 cents less than at the same time last year.
The winter storm that brought snow to Southeast Michigan on Sunday didn't stop car enthusiasts from leaving their homes for the final day of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show.
Barry Manilow announced Friday he needs to reschedule several more concerts as he continues to recover following surgery after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
"Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi said in a TikTok video that her results at a post-op appointment for a cone biopsy showed stage 1 cervical cancer.
In April 2025, Eric Dane announced he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
Warner Bros. Discovery said that Paramount Skydance is considering enhancing its buyout offer for the entertainment company.
Robert Duvall was in such classics as "The Godfather," "To Kill a Mockingbird," "M*A*S*H," "The Great Santini" and "Tender Mercies."
A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing former special counsel Jack Smith's report on the classified documents investigation.
The Social Security Administration wouldn't stop issuing benefits once its trust funds are exhausted, but it could be forced to cut benefits.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, from Detroit on Sunday was diverted to Alabama due to "civil unrest" in the region, according to a company spokesperson.
The space agency said Sunday it's targeting Tuesday for the slow, four-mile trek across Kennedy Space Center, weather permitting.
An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday morning after "unauthorized entry" into the secure perimeter at President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, the U.S. Secret Service said.
Michigan lawmakers required schools to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan for the current school year if the Legislature appropriated "sufficient funds," but funding wasn't dedicated in the education budget.
What started as food poisoning for a young boy in Clinton Township turned into years of organ failure.
Officials announced eligibility for mothers and babies in the city of Detroit.
Two Metro Detroit representatives are among those sponsoring a bill that calls for a 32% tax on any wireless device purchased for someone age 17 and younger.
The Oakland Community Health Network will now be taking over that responsibility amidst a financial dispute between the two organizations.
WNBA player Kara Braxton, who won two championship titles with the Detroit Shock, has died.
The Milan Cortina Olympics ended Sunday with a closing ceremony inside the ancient Roman amphitheater, Verona Arena.
Through a sudden death overtime goal, the U.S. men's hockey team is golden over Canada.
Jalen Duren had 26 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a suspension to help the Detroit Pistons take charge in the second half and roll to a 126-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore was found dead at the age of 25 at a residence in New Albany, Indiana, authorities reported Saturday.
Penske, a business and racing legend, turns 89 on Feb. 20 and is celebrating his 60th year in racing during 2026.
Claressa Shields talks about giving back to the community and her efforts to increase equity for women in sports.
The roundtable discusses the impact of the high-profile game for advertisers, including Detroit-based Rocket and Redfin.
Could a new entertainment tax and a new sales tax be ahead for the Motor City?
As the 2026 Detroit Auto Show wraps up Sunday, the roundtable discusses the signature event and standout moments from the past two weeks.
With spring just around the corner, there's a good chance you're going to see some potholes spring up. Ryan Seidler, service manager with Tamaroff Group, shares some advice to Detroiters.
As the snow finally melted in New York City prior to this week's fresh blizzard, some New Yorkers are realizing their neighbors have been neglecting one very vital chore: picking up after their dogs.
Civil unrest and violence in Mexico has disrupted vacation and travel plans for Metro Detroiters. Those stories include a flight diverted while en route, and a family waiting for word when they can safely leave their hotel.
Blizzard warnings are affecting 40 million people on the East Coast under what is said to be New York City's worst storm in years. The impact includes canceled flights for some Detroit Metro passengers.
An East Coast blizzard is affecting some flights at Detroit Metro Airport. Metro Detroiters are among the tourists told to shelter in place after violence erupts in parts of Mexico. Those headlines, weather and other top stories are in our news brief.