Russia confirms prisoner exchange talks with US next Brittney Griner sentencing

For the initial time considering the fact that WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested on drug costs in February, Russia has verified that prisoner swap negotiations with the United States are taking put. 

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechayev verified that negotiations amongst the two nations were underway. 

Brittney Griner is escorted from a courtroom after a listening to in Khimki, just outdoors Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. (G3 Box News Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

"Guidelines had been provided to approved structures to carry out negotiations," Nechayev claimed. "They are remaining done by competent authorities," The Washington Put up claimed, citing Russian point out media. 

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Griner was sentenced past 7 days to nine decades in a Russian prison immediately after getting convicted of drug possession and drug smuggling. 

Griner admitted to bringing vape cartridges containing hashish oil into Russia but contended she created an "an honest miscalculation" when doing so. 

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At the conclude of July, Secretary of State Antony Blinken verified that the Biden administration experienced created a "considerable proposal" to Russia in purchase to facilitate the return of Griner and former U.S. Maritime Paul Whelan. 

 Brittney Griner stands in a defendants' cage prior to a courtroom listening to on Aug. 2, 2022. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/AFP by means of Getty Photographs))

"We set a considerable proposal on the table weeks in the past to facilitate their launch," Blinken stated of the two Americans, in accordance to Axios. 

Next Griner’s sentencing, President Biden referred to as the verdict "unacceptable" and reiterated that Griner was wrongfully detained. 

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"These days, American citizen Brittney Griner obtained a prison sentence that is a single far more reminder of what the world now knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney," Biden said in a statement. 

Brittney Griner holds up a picture in the course of a hearing in Khimki, Russia, on Aug. 4, 2022. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool Photograph by means of G3 Box News)

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"It’s unacceptable, and I connect with on Russia to launch her promptly so she can be with her spouse, cherished ones, pals, and teammates.  My administration will keep on to function tirelessly and pursue each and every feasible avenue to deliver Brittney and Paul Whelan household safely and securely as soon as attainable."

G3 Box News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this story