• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
Russia Confirms Prisoner Exchange Talks After US Pressed for Griner, Whelan

Russia Confirms Prisoner Exchange Talks After US Pressed for Griner, Whelan

August 11, 2022
Trump Calls On Waffling Congress To Crush Biden’s Green ‘SCAM’

Trump Calls On Waffling Congress To Crush Biden’s Green ‘SCAM’

June 21, 2025
No, Yellowstone Is Not Up For Sale, Senator Leading Charged Public Lands Bill Says

No, Yellowstone Is Not Up For Sale, Senator Leading Charged Public Lands Bill Says

June 21, 2025
SETH ORANBURG: CLARITY Now: Congress Must Bring Truth to Crypto Markets

SETH ORANBURG: CLARITY Now: Congress Must Bring Truth to Crypto Markets

June 21, 2025
JD FOSTER: The Senate Should Pass The Recissions Package Quickly

JD FOSTER: The Senate Should Pass The Recissions Package Quickly

June 21, 2025
DAVID BLACKMON: Trump And Wright Move To Speed Nuclear Expansion

DAVID BLACKMON: Trump And Wright Move To Speed Nuclear Expansion

June 21, 2025
LARRY ELDER: On Iran, Democrats, Except Fetterman, Have Gone Underground

LARRY ELDER: On Iran, Democrats, Except Fetterman, Have Gone Underground

June 20, 2025
Court Strikes Down Louisiana Law Requiring Ten Commandments In Schools

Court Strikes Down Louisiana Law Requiring Ten Commandments In Schools

June 20, 2025
MANISHA SINGH: No Great Expectations Of The Group Of Seven

MANISHA SINGH: No Great Expectations Of The Group Of Seven

June 20, 2025
Court Decision Could Spell Disaster For DC Law Allowing Noncitizens Ability To Vote

Court Decision Could Spell Disaster For DC Law Allowing Noncitizens Ability To Vote

June 20, 2025
Industries Long Addicted To Illegal Labor In Withdrawal As Trump Cracks Down

Industries Long Addicted To Illegal Labor In Withdrawal As Trump Cracks Down

June 20, 2025
Obama-Appointed Judge Allows Harvard To Continue Enrolling Foreign Students

Obama-Appointed Judge Allows Harvard To Continue Enrolling Foreign Students

June 20, 2025
Trump Admin Gives California Ultimatum To Cut Trans Ideology From Classrooms

Trump Admin Gives California Ultimatum To Cut Trans Ideology From Classrooms

June 20, 2025
  • Donald Trump
  • State of the Union
  • Elon Musk
  • Tariffs
  • Congress
  • Faith
  • Immigration
Sunday, June 22, 2025
  • Login
IJR
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls
No Result
View All Result
IJR
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Russia Confirms Prisoner Exchange Talks After US Pressed for Griner, Whelan

by Savannah Hulsey Pointer
August 11, 2022
in News
245 7
0
Russia Confirms Prisoner Exchange Talks After US Pressed for Griner, Whelan

US' Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) basketball player Brittney Griner, who was detained at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and later charged with illegal possession of cannabis, waits for the verdict inside a defendants' cage during a hearing in Khimki outside Moscow, on August 4, 2022. - A Russian court found Griner guilty of smuggling and storing narcotics after prosecutors requested a sentence of nine and a half years in jail for the athlete. (Photo by EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA / POOL / AFP) (Photo by EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that they are negotiating with the United States on a prisoner swap, after WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced by Russia.

Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechayev confirmed the talks Thursday, according to The Washington Post, who cited Russian state media.

The United States proposed a deal that would include the exchange of Griner and another American prisoner held by Russia, Paul Whelan.

“Instructions were given to authorized structures to carry out negotiations,” Nechayev told journalists in Moscow on Thursday, state media reported. “They are being conducted by competent authorities.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated last month that officials made a “substantial” offer for a deal to free Griner and Whelan.

He has not, however, confirmed media reports that Washington offered to swap Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.

The State Department asserts that both Griner and Whelan were detained wrongfully, and President Joe Biden has spoken to the families of both Americans about their situation.

The president reportedly assured their families that the administration is doing everything possible to secure their release.

As IJR previously reported, a Russian court convicted Griner of drug possession and drug smuggling as well as levying a fine of 1 million rubles, or about $16,400, against the basketball player.

President Joe Biden spoke out against the Russian court’s decision to sentence Griner to nine years in prison.

Fox News reported that Biden made a statement about the sentence saying, “American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney.”

“It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.  My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”

Whelan, 52, is a former Marine and a security expert who was detained in 2018 and found guilty of espionage in 2020 and is currently serving a 16-year prison term. The veteran has maintained that he was set up.

Tags: brittney grinerRussiaU.S. NewsUnited States Of Americaworld news
Share196Tweet123
Savannah Hulsey Pointer

Savannah Hulsey Pointer

IJR, Contributor

Advertisements

Top Stories June 10th
Top Stories June 7th
Top Stories June 6th
Top Stories June 3rd
Top Stories May 30th
Top Stories May 29th
Top Stories May 24th
Top Stories May 23rd
Top Stories May 21st
Top Stories May 17th

Join Over 6M Subscribers

We’re organizing an online community to elevate trusted voices on all sides so that you can be fully informed.





IJR

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Trusted Voices On All Sides

  • About Us
  • GDPR Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Standards & Corrections Policy
  • Subscribe to IJR

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • US News
  • Commentary
  • World News
  • Faith
  • Latest Polls

    Copyright © 2024 IJR

Top Stories June 10th Top Stories June 7th Top Stories June 6th Top Stories June 3rd Top Stories May 30th Top Stories May 29th Top Stories May 24th Top Stories May 23rd Top Stories May 21st Top Stories May 17th