Biden met with sister of Paul Whelan, American detained in Russia, White House says

Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, holds a sign as he stands inside a defendants' cage during his verdict hearing in Moscow, Russia June 15, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden met on Wednesday with the sister of Paul Whelan, the former U.S. Marine detained in Russia, the White House said.

The White House said that after a private meeting with Elizabeth Whelan "to discuss the Administration’s continued efforts to secure Paul’s release from Russia," Biden called Paul Whelan's parents.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Leslie Adler)