Joe Biden Meets With Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan's Families, Commits to Bring Them Home From Russia

The families of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, both currently detained in Russia, finally met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday.

Biden met with the families separately, the first time he met with them since their loved ones were detained. According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the president reiterated his commitment to work using all available avenues to bring Griner and Whelan home.

She added that Biden appreciated the opportunity to bring the two American citizens home from those who loved them. The president also acknowledged that "every minute they are being held is a minute too long."

Brittney Griner's Wife Says Meeting Is Critical Assurance From the Government

Cherelle Griner, Brittney Griner's wife, told CNN following her meeting with Joe Biden that the meeting served as a critical assurance from the White House that they were committed to bringing the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist home.

Cherelle said that while this was not a meeting where Biden told her what she wanted to hear, she still considered it a pivotal meeting. She noted that the meeting gave her the confidence that the president was working to bring her wife back home.

For months, Cherelle Griner had tried to get this meeting to happen. She said Biden alluded to the report about the administration's prisoner swap offer. However, she noted that the U.S. government still has not figured out what Russia wants in return for Griner.

According to the Associated Press, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced two months ago that the U.S. made a substantial proposal to Russia. The U.S. has repeatedly pressed that offer in the hope of getting some serious negotiations for the release of Griner and Whelan.

Unfortunately, the relations between Moscow and Washington have been further strained with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as Russia resisted discussing the deal that the Americans have offered.

WNBA Star Brittney Griner 'Devastated' After 9-Year Prison Sentence Announced

Brittney Griner was arrested at a Russian airport after officials "discovered" that her vape pens contained cannabis oil. She was charged with drug smuggling and sentenced to nine years in prison. Her lawyers are trying to appeal the ruling.

Griner's two lawyers, Maria Blagovolina and Alexander Boykov, told People that the sentence was nearly double what they previously expected. Her lawyers said the WNBA star was devastated and very upset.

When Blinken announced that they were proposing the prisoner exchange for Griner and Whelan, the WNBA star became quite happy, knowing that her government had still not forgotten about her.

As for Whelan, his sister previously spoke to Joe Biden on the phone. However, like Cherelle, his sister also wanted a personal meeting with the president.

Whelan, a corporate security executive from Michigan, was arrested in Russia in 2018 and was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison on espionage charges, which he denies.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: President Joe Biden Meets With Families of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan - From CBS News