Bill Richardson is expected to travel to Russia in the coming weeks to discuss securing the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan back to the United States, according to a source familiar. Both Whelan and Griner are considered wrongfully detained by the US government, and both of their families have been working with the nonprofit Richardson Center. Richardson has long worked to free Americans detained abroad, and played a role in securing Trevor Reed’s release from Russian detention in April. The Biden administration has repeatedly said that working to secure Griner and Whelan’s release, as well as that of Americans wrongfully detained abroad, is a top priority. Following his call with Cherelle Griner, the President also spoke by phone with Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth Whelan.