Showing posts with label Brittney Griner meets with US officials in Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brittney Griner meets with US officials in Russia. Show all posts

Friday, November 04, 2022

Brittney Griner meets with US officials in Russia

WNBA star Brittney Griner, who is facing nine years in a Russian prison, met with U.S. Embassy officials in Russia on Thursday, according to State Department spokesman Ned Price.

"They saw firsthand her tenacity and perseverance despite her present circumstances. We continue to press for the immediate release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan and fair treatment for every detained American," Price said in a tweet announcing the visit.

Thursday's visit marks the first time U.S. officials have been able to gain direct Griner since early August. Most recently, they were able to speak with her over the phone on her birthday on Oct. 18.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday that the Biden administration was told that Griner is "doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances."

Jean-Pierre said that securing the freedom of Griner and Whelan, a U.S. citizen and former Marine who has been detained in Russia since 2019, continues to be a "top priority" for the White House.

"As we have said before, the U.S. government made a significant offer to the Russians to resolve the current unacceptable and wrongful, wrongful detentions of American citizens Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan," Jean-Pierre said. "I can also tell you that in the subsequent weeks, despite a lack of good faith negotiation by the Russians, the U.S. government has continued to follow up on that offer and propose alternative potential ways forward with Russians through all available channels."

Read more: Brittney Griner meets with US officials in Russia as White House works to secure her release