Biden expresses hope Putin will be more willing to negotiate Brittney Griner's release now

President Joe Biden connected Wednesday said helium is “determined” to bring WNBA prima Brittney Griner home, adding that he’s hopeful Russian President Vladimir Putin volition beryllium consenting to negociate “more seriously” astir a captive speech present that the midterm predetermination is over.

Speaking astatine a post-midterm property conference, the president said helium has been successful interaction with Griner’s woman astir the administration’s latest engagements with Russia. Griner, who has been detained since February, is being moved to a Russian penal colony, according to her ineligible team. These types of situation facilities are known for cruel surviving conditions.

“My volition is to get her home, and we’ve had a fig of discussions truthful far, and I’m hopeful that present that our predetermination is over, there’s a willingness to negociate much specifically with us,” Biden said successful remarks astatine the White House. “I americium determined to get her location and to get her location safely.”

The president’s remarks travel earlier he’s acceptable to instrumentality disconnected for a travel to Asia. He’ll beryllium successful Indonesia adjacent week for the G-20 acme wherever helium could transverse paths with the Russian leader. It’s not yet wide if Putin volition show, though Biden has expressed his willingness to conscionable with his Russian counterpart — but lone to sermon Griner’s release.

Griner was convicted and sentenced to 9 years successful situation successful August aft she was accused of bringing vape cartridges containing cannabis lipid into Russia, which is amerciable successful the country. A Russian tribunal upheld the condemnation past month, rejecting Griner’s appeal.

In a connection sent retired aboriginal Wednesday, the White House said it has continued to travel up connected a “significant offer” to Russia, portion putting further proposals connected the array to unafraid the merchandise of Griner and different Americans, similar Paul Whelan, who has been accused of espionage.

Biden has “directed the Administration to prevail connected her Russian captors to amended her attraction and the conditions she whitethorn beryllium forced to endure successful a penal colony,” the connection said.

Biden, erstwhile asked astir the alternate paths offered to Russia, said it wouldn’t beryllium “wise” to disclose backstage negotiations.

“It would not beryllium a omniscient happening to bash successful bid to spot if they would determination forward,” helium said. “But it is my — I’m telling you, I americium determined to get her location and get her location safely, on with others I mightiness add.”