Biden Meets with Families of Whelan, Griner at White House
President Joe Biden met
Friday with family members of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American
detained in Russia, Paul Whelan, the first face-to-face encounter that the
president has had with the relatives.
In a statement after
the meetings, which were held separately, White House press secretary Karine
Jean-Pierre said Biden stressed to the families his "continued commitment to
working through all available avenues to bring Brittney and Paul home safely.”
"He asked after the
well-being of Elizabeth and Cherelle and their respective families during this
painful time,” Jean-Pierre said. "The president appreciated the opportunity to
learn more about Brittney and Paul from those who love them most, and
acknowledged that every minute they are being held is a minute too long.”
Still, administration
officials have said the meetings were not an indication that negotiations with
Russia for their release have reached a breakthrough.
Earlier Friday, John
Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said that Russia has
not responded to what administration officials have called a substantial and
serious offer to secure Griner and Whelan’s release.
"The president is not
going to let up,” Kirby told reporters. "He’s confident that this is going to
remain in the forefront of his mind and his team’s mind, and they’re going to
continue to work as hard as they can.”
Griner has been held in
Russia since February on drug-related charges. She was sentenced last month to
nine years in prison after pleading guilty and has appealed the punishment.
Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage-related charges that he and
his family say are false. The U.S. government regards both as wrongfully
detained, placing their cases with the office of its top hostage negotiator.
Secretary of State
Antony Blinken took the unusual step of announcing two months ago that the
administration had made a substantial proposal to Russia. Though he did not
elaborate on the proposal, a person familiar with the matter has said the U.S.
has offered to release convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
The administration
carried out a prisoner swap last April, with Moscow releasing Marine veteran
Trevor Reed in exchange for the U.S. releasing a Russian pilot, Konstantin
Yaroshenko, convicted in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Jake Sullivan, the
president’s national security adviser, participated in both meetings. Biden sat
down with Elizabeth Whelan, the sister of Paul Whelan. Then the president met
with Cherelle Griner, the wife of Brittney Griner, as well as the player’s
agent, Lindsay Colas, according to the White House.
VOA
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