The good news for Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan is that the United States is still talking to Russia about a deal to free them. The bad news is that there has not been a serious response offered up by Russian negotiators to any of the proposals.

The latest in the ongoing story of the detention of WNBA star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan is a mixed bag. Elizabeth Rood, the U.S. chargée d’affaires in Moscow, spoke with Russia’s state-owned RIA news agency. She said that talks were continuing through the “designated channel”.

“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,” she said. “Unfortunately, so far the Russian Federation has not provided a serious response to those proposals.”

“The United States has channels for managing risk with the Russian Federation, particularly nuclear risks, and that was the purpose of CIA director Burns’ meeting with his Russian counterpart,” Rood said.

“Director Burns did not negotiate anything and he did not discuss a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. I’m sure if there’s a need for another conversation in that channel, it can happen. There’s not anything scheduled that I know of.”

Griner is being held in a women’s penal colony outside of Moscow where she is serving a nine year sentence for possession of drugs. Airport security found vape cannisters of cannabis oil in her luggage in Moscow and she has been detained ever since. Paul Whelan was arrested in December 2018 and is being held on espionage charges. His sentence is 16 years in prison. There have been talks for a prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia – a two for two swap. It would be Griner and Whelan for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout and a Russian serving a life sentence in Germany for murdering a Chechen dissenter.

It is crazy that two such dangerous Russians are going to be swapped for a woman basketball player and a former Marine but that’s the deal that is being discussed.

On November 18, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said he was hopeful about a prisoner swap that could release Viktor Bout. But, talks had stalled because of too much publicity over them. Russian officials stressed the importance of quiet talks outside of the press. Allegedly, Director Burns used the last meeting to warn about consequences of any Russian use of nuclear weapons. Russian officials have not commented on what was discussed.

I frequently write about Griner and Whelan and other Americans being detained overseas because it’s important that presidents get our people back. Americans are prized prisoners, especially in places like Russia, and are subjected to brutal conditions and treatment. The charges against them are usually trumped up and their prison sentences are excessive. In the case of Griner, she violated Russian drug laws. However, her sentence of nine years with no leniency being granted is excessive. It’s complicated at this time, too, because of Putin’s invasion into Ukraine. The United States is Ukraine’s biggest supporter, both financially and with military equipment, against Putin.

Biden doesn’t seem to be making getting Americans returned home a high priority. His administration has had limited success in bringing detainees home so far. Between Biden’s outward apathy and the State Department’s apparent ineptness, it’s not looking good for the American prisoners. Remember when we were told by candidate Biden that he would hire people who are government professionals and know how to make things work? That promise isn’t working out so well when it comes to protecting Americans abroad. The people he has running things at the State Department, for example, are all retreads from past Democrat administrations, particularly the Obama administration.

The best way for Griner and Whelan’s families to keep pressure on Team Biden is to remain in the press with their stories. They’ve learned that from the release of recent prisoners. With the holiday season upon us, the release of their loved ones is no doubt weighing heavy on them.

We post everyday in support of Brittney Griner. We won't stop until she is home and reunited with her family. We tag any and everyone who we believe can help. We will do whatever we can, and we need your help. Share a post in support. Share one of ours. (🧵1/2)#WeAreBG

— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) November 20, 2022