- My hope is that, now that the election is over, that Mr. Putin can discuss with us and be open to talking more seriously about a prisoner exchange, says Biden at a press conference after the midterm elections, on Wednesday.

He is determined to bring home Griner, who is imprisoned in Russia.

And hope that Putin will be more willing to negotiate.

Reported prisoner exchange

Several international media have reported that a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, in which Griner and Paul Whelan - an American serving a 16-year prison sentence for espionage - could be exchanged for arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Bout is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States and is nicknamed "The Merchant of Death."

Griner, a two-time Olympic basketball champion and one of the sport's biggest stars, was convicted in August of drug possession and is serving a nine-year prison sentence in Russia.

The star was arrested in February at an airport outside Moscow with cannabis oil in his luggage.

The appeal was rejected

Last month, Brittney Griner's appeal against her nine-year prison sentence was rejected, and the 32-year-old has now been moved to a penal colony.

Her lawyers currently do not know where she is or where she will end up, they write in a statement.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:

- Every minute that Brittney Griner endures illegal detention in Russia is a minute too long.

As the administration continues to work tirelessly to secure her release, the president has ordered the administration to improve her treatment and the conditions she is forced to endure in a penal colony, she said.

CUT: What happened to basketball star Griner?

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Brittney Griner is imprisoned in Russia.

Photo: Bildbyrån