Brittney Griner Remains Terrified to Stay ?Alone Forever? While Being Stuck in the Realms of Coercive Diplomacy

It’s been over six months since WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia. She was sentenced to nine years in prison over a month ago and she remains in prison at the moment. Despite talks going on between the two countries, there have been no updates on her potential release.

Griner was arrested back in February at a Russian airport. Officials had found illegal substances on her and subsequently charged her with intent to distribute. And following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, relations between Russia and the United States have been far more strained.

Due to this, her case became subject to a political trial and the US government said that she was wrongfully detained in May.

Brittney Griner wrote a letter to Joe Biden

The US government has been in talks with Russia for a while now trying to secure her release and safe return to the US. The Biden Administration has said that they are negotiating with Russia for a prisoner swap. This would effectively mean Griner and another American citizen would be able to return home in exchange for a Russian citizen currently incarcerated in the US.

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But this was a while ago, and there has been little progress in talks so far. It was reported that the US Secretary of State had conversations with his Russian counterpart. However, experts say that this would take some time, as both sides need to come to an amicable point.

It was also reported that Griner was supposed to call her wife, but this did not happen due to a mixup at the US embassy in Moscow. Following this, Griner sent a letter to Joe Biden, addressing her difficulties and her fear. She said,” As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I?m terrified I might be here forever.”

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There is still a ray of hope for Griner, as new reports suggest that the US government is sending over an expert negotiator soon. But this is bound to take some time and Griner will likely have to wait for some more time, at least until both governments are able to strike a deal.