President Joe Biden met Friday with relatives of basketball star Brittney Griner and fellow U.S. citizen Paul Whelan, who are both imprisoned in Russia, as the U.S. works to bring them home, the White House said.
In separate Oval Office meetings, Biden conferred with Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth Whelan, and then Cherelle Griner, the wife of the Olympic gold medalist.
After the meetings the White House released a statement saying Biden “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.”
The statement did not include any details about the status of talks with Russian authorities, but National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier in the day that “discussions are ongoing” to secure Griner’s release.
“The president is not going to let up. He’s confident that this is going to remain at the forefront of his mind and his team’s mind,” Kirby said.
Cherelle Griner, in a statement released by her wife’s agent, thanked Biden for the meeting and his “administration’s efforts to secure her release.”
“I’ve 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, sparking hopes of a rapid resolution.
Kirby said the Biden administration had made what he called a serious proposal but “they are not responding to our offer.”
“These two individuals ought to be home already. Period,” he added.
Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, for possessing vape cartridges with a small amount of cannabis oil.
