For the 1st time considering the fact that WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested on drug rates in February, Russia has confirmed that prisoner swap negotiations with the United States are taking spot. 

On Thursday, Russian Overseas Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechayev verified that negotiations between the two international locations have been underway. 

Brittney Griner is escorted from a courtroom right after a listening to in Khimki, just outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. (WHD Photograph/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

"Instructions had been presented to approved constructions to carry out negotiations," Nechayev reported. "They are remaining performed by proficient authorities," The Washington Post claimed, citing Russian point out media. 

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Griner was sentenced very last 7 days to 9 many years in a Russian prison just after remaining convicted of drug possession and drug smuggling. 

Griner admitted to bringing vape cartridges that contains cannabis oil into Russia but contended she produced an "an honest blunder" when performing so. 

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At the conclusion of July, Secretary of Point out Antony Blinken verified that the Biden administration had designed a "considerable proposal" to Russia in get to aid the return of Griner and previous U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. 

 Brittney Griner stands in a defendants' cage ahead of a courtroom listening to on Aug. 2, 2022. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool/AFP through Getty Pictures))

"We put a substantial proposal on the table months back to facilitate their launch," Blinken mentioned of the two People, in accordance to Axios. 

Pursuing Griner’s sentencing, President Biden referred to as the verdict "unacceptable" and reiterated that Griner was wrongfully detained. 

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"Today, American citizen Brittney Griner gained a prison sentence that is a person far more reminder of what the earth presently realized: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney," Biden claimed in a statement. 

Brittney Griner holds up a photograph through a hearing in Khimki, Russia, on Aug. 4, 2022. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool Photograph by way of WHD)

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"It’s unacceptable, and I simply call on Russia to launch her right away so she can be with her spouse, liked types, good friends, and teammates.  My administration will go on to function tirelessly and pursue each achievable avenue to deliver Brittney and Paul Whelan household safely as quickly as feasible."

WHD News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this story