It's alleged that Schulte's CP handling dated back to 2009.
The important distinction to make in leak vs whistleblower cases is whether the people had authorized access to the classified materials in the first place. If the person had authorized access, and then chose to report/disclose, there can be a gray area of debate over whether the person is a whistleblower even if they did not follow reporting protocol. However, if the person did not have authorized access to the classified material in the first place, they can't ever fit under the whistleblower umbrella and are probably cooked under the Espionage Act.
Based on the allegations, Schulte is a leaker and not a whistleblower because he gained access and then distributed classified materials that he was not authorized to access in the first place.
There will be a crescendo of dramatic sabre rattling on both sides, and then suddenly an agreement to meet.