Things are not going well when it comes to the possible release of Brittney Griner.
While the U.S. government is attempting to bring her home, the Russian administration has reportedly not responded to President Biden’s offers.
“Biden and his team, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, previously stated in August that the United States made a “substantial” proposition for Russia in attempt to secure Griner and Whelan’s release.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday that Russia has not responded to the proposal from Biden’s administration, resulting in Griner and Whelan remaining under Russian imprisonment,” Sports Illustrated reports.
“Sadly we don’t have a result here to tell you about but the president felt that it was important to continue the dialogue with the family members,” Kirby said, per Bloomberg. “The primary goal of the meeting today is to be able to update families and keep them completely apprised of where we are in the process.”
Negotiations between the two countries are ongoing despite Russia’s lack of response, added Kirby.
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“They have not responded to our offer. We have made a serious offer to get Brittney Griner and Paul Whalen back home,” Kirby said. “The Russians have not responded to that offer. But that doesn’t mean that we’re not still in negotiations.”
Griner has been detained in Russia for more than six months due to entering the country with less than a gram of THC. She was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison, and the Biden administration has offered arms dealer Viktor Bout in a prisoner swap.
“What I can tell you for sure is the president is not going to let up,” Kirby said. “He’s confident that this is going to remain at the forefront of his mind and his team’s mind. And they’re going to continue to work this as hard as they can.
“We want these two individuals home back where they belong with their families. They should be there already.”
