Aug. 5 () –
The spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, urged Russia on Thursday to accept the “substantial offer” that the United States offered last Monday in exchange for the delivery of basketball player Brittney Griner and ex-marine Paul Whelan.
“As you all know, we have made a substantial offer to bring her (Griner) and Paul Whelan home. We urge Russia to accept that proposal,” Kirby said on the day the nine-year sentence was announced. prison imposed by the Russian Justice on the athlete after being accused of drug possession and smuggling.
The sentence, as explained by the official in a press conference, is “a reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is unfairly detaining Brittney”, since “she should never have had to endure a trial”.
“We have repeatedly called on Russia to release her immediately so that she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends and teammates,” the National Security Council spokesman said.
“Under the leadership of President Biden, the United States Government continues to work aggressively, seeking every avenue to bring home Brittney, Paul Whelan, and all Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained around the world,” he added.
In this sense, Kirby has assured that the United States is willing to take “all the necessary steps” to bring its citizens back.
On August 1, Washington proposed to Russia the release of Griner and Whelan in exchange for two Russian citizens, including the convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to knowledgeable sources consulted by the Bloomberg news agency.
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