The United States is continuing its efforts to secure the release of Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich and former US Marine Paul Whelan from Russian custody. Despite a rejected proposal to secure their freedom, the US State Department is determined to find a way to bring the pair home, considering them “wrongfully detained” and the charges against them as bogus and politically motivated. The US is prioritizing their release, despite the strained relationship with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. Gershkovich and Whelan have been detained on spying charges, with Gershkovich facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty and Whelan already convicted and serving a 16-year sentence. The US government and the families of the two men are working tirelessly to secure their release from Russian custody.