Paul Whelan
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Griner “is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances.”
“I am cautiously optimistic, I think it’s going to be a two-for-two,” said former U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson after recent meetings with Russian leadership.
Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations, held meetings with Russian leaders.
Bill Richardson told ABC's "This Week" he is "optimistic" Russia will agree to free the WNBA star alongside former Marine Paul Whelan.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested on drug-related charges at a Moscow airport in February.
“I am crushed. If he wants to talk about securing Paul’s release, he needs to be talking to the Whelans! What are we to think?!” Elizabeth Whelan tweeted.
The Phoenix Mercury center and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist was arrested 4 1/2 months ago on charges of cannabis possession.
For Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, the other's case injects something of a wild card into their own, for better or worse.
“We need to do absolutely everything we can as Americans," Reed, a former U.S. Marine who was imprisoned in Russia, told CNN.
Whelan has insisted on his innocence, saying he was set up.