WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden met with members of the family of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan on Friday the place he reaffirmed his dedication to pursuing all accessible avenues to carry their family members residence from Russia.
“The president appreciated the chance to be taught extra about Brittney and Paul from those that love them most, and acknowledged that each minute they’re being held is a minute too lengthy,” the White Home stated Friday night.
The conferences with Griner’s spouse, Cherelle, and Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth, which came about individually, have been the primary in particular person between Biden and the members of the family, although they’ve spoken by telephone.
Griner was sentenced to 9 years in jail by a Moscow court docket final month, and her protection staff is interesting. Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport Feb. 17 after authorities stated they discovered cannabis-infused vape cartridges in her baggage.
Whelan has been detained since 2018 and is serving a 16-year sentence.
The U.S. authorities has stated each have been wrongfully detained.
“Sadly, we don’t have a consequence right here to inform you about, however the president felt it was necessary to proceed the dialogue with the members of the family, that’s taking place at the moment,” stated John Kirby, Nationwide Safety Council coordinator for strategic communications, on Friday forward of the assembly. “Now we have stayed in contact with them all through, we now have stored them knowledgeable all through, however the negotiations are nonetheless ongoing.”
The White Home has been in talks with Russian officers over the discharge of the 2 People, and Biden stated final month that he was hopeful a deal might be made to launch Griner. However since then, there have been few indicators of progress from the administration.
NBC Information reported in July that the U.S. had provided to alternate Griner and Whelan for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms supplier who has been serving a 25-year jail sentence. In August, after Griner’s sentencing, Russia stated it was prepared to debate the opportunity of a swap, however U.S. officers say the Russians haven’t give you a severe counteroffer.
“They haven’t responded to our supply. Now we have made a severe supply to get Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan again residence, the Russians haven’t responded to that supply, however that doesn’t imply that they weren’t nonetheless in negotiations and we’re not nonetheless making an attempt,” stated Kirby.
