Offer also seeks return of US executive Paul Whelan and is a reversal of previous US policy resisting such deals
Blinken did not offer details on the proposed deal, which was offered weeks ago, though it is unclear if it will be enough forBut the public acknowledgment of the offer at a time when the US has otherwise shunned Russia reflects the mounting pressure on the administration over Griner and Whelan and its determination to get them home.
Blinken said he had requested a call with the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. US officials said the desire for an answer on the prisoner offer was the primary, but not only, reason that the US on Wednesday requested the call with Lavrov. Blinken said he would also be speaking to Lavrov about the importance of Russia complying with a UN-brokeredlast Friday to free multiple tons of Ukrainian grain from storage, and warning him about the dangers of possible Russian attempts to annex portions of eastern and southern Ukraine.
At her trial on Wednesday, Griner said she did not know how the cannabis oil ended up in her bag but explained she had a doctor’s recommendation for it and had packed in haste. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of transporting drugs.
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