Listen, I'm not trying to take a side in this at all. I'm glad Griner was released, but hoped both would be released. That said, Is it possible that Whelan was "dishonorably discharged" the way Jason Bourne was disappeared before his special service started. Please note that most of my military knowledge comes from movies and this board, LOL.
It looks like he was stealing. There isn't any reason in reality why they couldn't just give him an honorable discharge if they were going to turn him into a secret agent. It's not like the need to create an interesting plot.
But if he is a Jason Borne type, then i could see why Russia isn't going to be releasing him.
I'm not trying to say we should let him rot in prison BTW, i just know people are going to try and paint him as a loyal veteran who served his country, but he didn't serve his country honorably. He got a bad conduct discharge.