The athlete was arrested on drug-related charges at a Moscow airport in February and testified Wednesday at her trial.
U.K.'s Channel 4 Is in "Most Robust" Financial Health Ever, CEO Says Amid Government's Privatization PushThough it is unclear if the proposal will be enough for Russia to release the Americans, the public acknowledgment of the offer at a time when the U.S. has otherwise shunned Russia reflects the mounting pressure on the administration over Griner and Whelan and its determination to get them home.
President Joe Biden, who authorized the Reed prisoner swap after meeting with his parents, signed off on the deal the U.S. offered in this case, officials said. Blinken said he would also be speaking to Lavrov about the importance of Russia complying with a U.N.-brokered deal to free multiple tons of Ukrainian grain from storage and warning him about the dangers of possible Russian attempts to annex portions of eastern and southern Ukraine.
Griner, in Russian custody for the last five months after authorities there said they found her in possession of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage, testified at her trial Wednesday that she had no criminal intent in bringing them into the country and packed in haste for her return to play in a Russian basketball league during the WNBA’s offseason.
“We believe it’s important for the American people to know how hard President Biden is working to get Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan home,” he said.
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