• A day after sentencing Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for drug use, Russia stated it was open to private prisoner exchange talks.
• The case was launched against Griner after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
• Lavrov stated in Cambodia, “We are ready to resolve this matter inside the Putin-Biden channel.

A day after sentencing Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for drug use, Russia stated it was open to private prisoner exchange talks.

The case was launched against Griner after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. This caused global turmoil.

According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have resolved to negotiate prisoner swaps diplomatically.

Lavrov stated in Cambodia, “We are ready to resolve this matter inside the Putin-Biden channel.”

If the U.S. chose to deploy public diplomacy again, that’s their business.

Antony Blinken said Washington would engage Moscow diplomatically. Griner’s conviction compounded Russia’s unlawful detention, he said.

The Kremlin says media coverage will prevent prisoner exchanges.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov: “The Americans used megaphone diplomacy.”

Peskov didn’t discuss Griner’s situation. When questioned about a pardon, he said it was against Russian law.

Biden termed Griner’s punishment “inappropriate,” which might lead to a prisoner exchange with a Russian weapons dealer.

Blinken claimed the US offered “much” to release Griner and Whelan.

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