The Biden administration is offering to release a convicted Russian arms dealer in exchange for Russia's release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and ex-Marine Paul Whelan.
Russian authorities arrested Griner in February after a drug-sniffing dog at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport alerted its handler to her luggage. Officers found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil inside.
Griner traveled to Russia to play basketball for the Russian Premier League during the WNBA's offseason.
The eight-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medal winner testified Wednesday that during her interrogation, the translator only told her some of what was being discussed and that officials made her sign documents without explanation.
Griner claimed she had no intention of breaking the law and that the cartridges were there inadvertently.
CNBC has more on the ongoing negotiations, which Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made public today:
“We put a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago,” Blinken told reporters at the State Department.
The nation's top diplomat also said that he would discuss the offer with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “in the coming days.”
“Our government has communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal and I'll use the conversation to follow up personally and I hope, move us toward a resolution,” Blinken said.
WATCH:
The Biden administration has described Griner's arrest, a dramatic turn that came as the Kremlin prepared for war in Ukraine, as wrongful detention. Earlier this month, she pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Moscow court and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
READ NEXT: Russia Extends Detention of WNBA and Olympic Champion Brittney Griner >>
NO we dont need another arms dealer to aid Taliban etc & KILL OUR people
I hope the Russians say no
Worst trade since the Cubs sent Lou Brock to the Cardinals for Ernie Broglio.
Brittney who?
She pissed on our country LET THEM KILL HER. EVIL ADMINISTRATION PROTECTING ANYTHING ANTI AMERICAN.
Trading a convicted gun trader for a treasonous Griner is like calling the kettle black.
“The eight-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medal winner… “, doesn’t mean a hill of squat when you’re facing criminal, drug charges for being an utterly dumb ass in a foreign country!
Apparently, the gold medal winner never bothered to watch at least one flippin’ episode of, “Locked Up: Abroad” or the movie, “Midnight Express” neither for that matter.
Not until she sings the National Anthem!!
Why not exchange Peter Buttigieg for Brittney? He could explain why they need to buy Electric cars and accept same sex marriage and LGBTQ people. Maybe Putin is just a trans-woman in a man’s body?.
More insanity by the left wing commie Dems!! Like Obozos trade for the wacko deserter in Afghanistan who got 5 of our soldiers killed looking for the ahole, then give him a promo and back pay!! Deserters should be shot, and so should take a knee hate filled anti American Griner! Let the Rooskies do it for us!!
We must offer Vlad the Invader a corrective enema with a Cruise missile and not take NO for an answer. The poor Russians would be much better off without him.
Why are we even considering releasing an arms dealer who will ultimately cause the deaths of more U. S. citizens just to trade for a person who knowingly had an illegal drug in her possession? Nobody in their right mind would take any type of drug into Russia knowing that their laws are very strict regarding illegal drugs. That would be like an openly homosexual individual taking a tour of Iran. Not a real good idea.
It seems that the Biden administration is all set to deplete the wealth of the treasury at all costs, no matter to what country or who has their hand out. Want to bet there is a kickback in the pot somewhere?