Russia issued a warning to the United States of America regarding the possibility of a prisoner swap involving Brittney Griner after the WNBA player was sentenced to 9 years in prison for drug smuggling and possession.
Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury at Target Center in Minneapolis, MN on July 14 2019; the Lynx won the game 75-62. Photo Credit: Lorie Shaull, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Griner was found guilty by a Russian court and sentenced to 9 years in prison for drug possession and smuggling.
The WNBA player was arrested back in February on drug charges and would eventually plead guilty to the crimes saying in court, “I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law.”
Before her sentencing she also apologized for the crime saying, “I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans and the city of (Yekaterinburg) for my mistake that I made and the embarrassment that I brought on them.”
“I want to also apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back at home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back at home,” she continued. “I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling it doesn’t end my life here.”
Brittney Griner via 11Alive YouTube
RELATED: Brittney Griner Found Guilty Of Drug Smuggling And Possession By Russian Court
Following this sentencing Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told AFP that Russia was open to negotiating a prisoner swap, “We are ready to discuss this topic, but within the framework of the channel that was agreed upon by Presidents Putin and Biden.”
However, he also warned, “If the Americans decide to once again resort to public diplomacy… that is their business and I would even say that it is their problem.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov via BBC News YouTube
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously warned that the Biden administration’s attempt to negotiate a prisoner swap via the media was mistake. According to Reuters he said, “The Americans have already made that mistake, suddenly deciding to use megaphone diplomacy to resolve these issues.”
“This is not how they are resolved,” he bluntly stated.
Dmitry Peskov via PBS NewsHour
RELATED: Brittney Griner Featured On TIME Magazine Cover After Pleading Guilty To Drug Charges In Russia
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken previously indicated the Biden administration had offered a prisoner exchange package to Russia involving Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan.
Blinken told the media, “In the coming days, I expect to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov for the first time since the war began. I plan to raise an issue that’s a top priority for us: the release of Americans Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, who have been wrongfully detained and must be allowed to come home.”
“We put a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago to facilitate their release,” he said. “Our governments have 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.”
That prisoner swap reportedly involved convicted arms trafficker Viktor trafficker Viktor Bout.
Reuters reported, “One source familiar with the situation said that Washington was willing to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, whose life helped inspire the 2005 Hollywood film Lord of War starring Nicholas Cage.”
WHITE PLAINS, NY – NOVEMBER 16: In this photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, former Soviet military officer and arms trafficking suspect Viktor Bout (C) deplanes after arriving at Westchester County Airport November 16, 2010 in White Plains, New York. Bout was extradited from Thailand to the U.S. to face terrorism charges after a final effort by Russian diplomats to have him released failed. (Photo by U.S. Department of Justice via Getty Images)
RELATED: President Joe Biden Reacts To Brittney Griner’s 9 Year Prison Sentence
President Biden also issued a statement following Griner’s sentencing saying, “Today, 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 Birttney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible,” he concluded.
Scott Thuman Twitter
What do you make of Russia’s warning? Will the Biden administration adhere to it?