President Joe Biden on Friday met with relatives of basketball star Brittney Griner and fellow U.S. citizen Paul Whelan, both of whom are being held in Russia while the U.S. works to bring them home, the White House said.
In separate Oval Office meetings, Biden consulted with Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth Whelan, and then with Cherelle Griner, the Olympic champion’s wife.
After the meetings, the White House released a statement saying Biden “valued the opportunity to learn more about Brittney and Paul from those who love them most and acknowledged that every minute they are held is a minute too long”.
The statement did not provide details on the status of talks with Russian authorities, but National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier in the day that “talks are ongoing” to secure Griner’s release.
“The President will not let up. He’s confident that this will be a priority for him and his team,” Kirby said.
Cherelle Griner thanked Biden for the meeting and his administration’s “efforts to secure her release” in a statement released by her wife’s agent.
“I felt every minute of the grueling seven months without her,” she said.
In August, Moscow said it was ready to discuss a prisoner swap for Griner, raising hopes of a quick solution.
Kirby said the Biden administration made what he called a serious proposal, but “they are not responding to our offer.”
“These two people should be home by now. point,” he added.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, shortly before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for possessing vape cartridges containing a small amount of cannabis oil.
The 31-year-old, who was in Russia during her Phoenix Mercury off-season to play for Yekaterinburg’s professional team, has been charged with narcotics smuggling.
In early August, she was sentenced to nine years in a penal colony.
Former US Marine Whelan, 52, was arrested in December 2018 and accused of espionage by Russian security services.
He was arrested on a visit to Moscow to attend a wedding when he took a USB stick from an acquaintance, thinking it contained vacation photos. He did not view the contents of the drive, but his attorney said it contained “state secrets.”
The former vehicle parts company security officer, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish passports, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage in June 2020.
