believes wheeling could easily come back to the u.s. in the next couple months. what are we hearing about paul whelan s morale right now inside russia as he continues to remain in captivity? and what is next? white house officials were particularly taken aback by those comments from president putin suggesting he was open to more talks like this. potentially assigned the russians would be willing to move forward with returning paul whelan and an additional prisoner exchange. we know paul whelan s family has said that the griner trade was a catastrophe for paul whelan, despite the fact that they understood the decision the president made and supported that decision. but roger carson s, the u.s. hostage negotiations envoy said he was able to inform paul whelan parson we buy phone of the decision to bring back britney griner. he described that conversation with paul whelan. watch. i talked to paul on friday,