US talks with Russia on Griner, Whelan release ongoing, says diplomat

The talks between Washington and Moscow over securing the release of detained American nationals Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan are still ongoing, according to a diplomat. Despite ongoing negotiations, the US says Russia has not provided a substantial response to the proposals.

US Charge d’Affairs in Moscow Elizabeth Rood told Russian news outlet RIA Monday that talks to secure Griner and Whelan’s release are still ongoing. Rood said the discussions were still taking place in the “designated channel.” The White House has also said that conversations were still taking place with Russia.

“The United States, as we have said, has put a significant proposal on the table. We have followed up on that proposal and we have proposed alternatives,” said Rood. “Unfortunately, so far the Russian Federation has not provided a serious response to those proposals.”

“We want them home as fast as possible, and this administration is going to stay committed to that task,” said White House National Security spokesman John Kirby.

Rood also suggested that there may be a follow-up to the meeting between CIA Director William Burns and Russian foreign intelligence head Sergei Naryshkin in Istanbul two weeks ago. Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov previously said on November 18 that he hopes that a prisoner swap could also mean the release of Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian weapons trafficker that has been detained in the US.

Griner was transferred to a penal colony in Mordovia to serve her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession after she was arrested back in February when vape cartridges with cannabis oil were found. Griner said during her trial that she used them to relieve pain from sports injuries, and she did not intend to break the law.

Whelan, a former US marine, was sentenced to 16 years on charges of espionage, which he has denied. Whelan is also serving in the same region as Griner.

Back in October, US President Joe Biden said that Washington has been closely coordinating with Moscow about Griner’s release. At the time, the Russian court denied Griner’s appeal for her nine-year prison sentence.

“We’re in constant contact with Russian authorities to get Brittney and others out. So far we’ve not been meeting with much positive response but we’re not stopping,” said Biden.