U.S. offers deal for Brittney Griner's release from prison in Russia
The Biden administration officially offered a deal to the Russian government for the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told media outlets on Wednesday.
CNN reported that the offer includes bringing Griner and another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, back to the states in exchange for releasing a Russian arms trafficker currently serving jail time in the U.S.
According to ESPN, the offer was made "weeks ago," and Blinken has requested a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Blinken also said he has not spoken with his Russian counterpart since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Griner was arrested in February on drug charges while traveling to Russia to play with her international team. She testified in her trial last week.
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