The President of the United States of America (USA) Joseph Biden spoke with the families of two American citizens detained in Russia and assured them that he is working on their release.
Biden spoke in the Oval Office with Cherelli Greiner, wife of American basketball player Brittney Greiner, and Elizabeth Whelan, sister of former Marine Paul Whelan.
Biden held separate meetings with them to assure them that the detainees were at the top of their priorities, White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said, Reuters reported.
"We will continue to do everything we can, tirelessly, every day, to do everything we can to bring them home," the spokeswoman told reporters.
Greiner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and women's NBA star, was sentenced on August 4 to nine years in prison in Russia for drug charges, which Biden called "unacceptable".
Washington has offered to exchange "arms dealer" Viktor Bout with Russia for Greinerova and Villan, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters.
"A big offer is on the table and they should accept it," said Jean-Pierre.
Vilan, who holds US, British, Canadian and Irish passports, was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison after being charged with espionage, which he denied.
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