INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
President Joe Biden met Friday with relatives of basketball star Brittney Griner and fellow United States citizen Paul Whelan, who are both
imprisoned in Russia, as the United States works to bring them home, the White House said.In separate Oval Office meetings, Biden conferred
with Whelan's sister, Elizabeth Whelan, and then Cherelle Griner, the wife of the Olympic gold medalist.After the meetings the White House
released a statement saying Biden "appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Brittney and Paul from those who love them most, and
acknowledged that every minute they are being held is a minute too long."The statement did not include any details about the status of talks
with Russian authorities, but National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier in the day that "discussions are
ongoing" to secure Griner's release."The president is not going to let up
He's confident that this is going to remain at the forefront of his mind and his team's mind," Kirby said.Cherelle Griner, in a
statement released by her wife's agent, thanked Biden for the meeting and his "administration's efforts to secure her release.""I've
felt every minute of the grueling seven months without her," she said.In August, Moscow said it was ready to discuss a prisoner swap for
Griner, sparking hopes of a rapid resolution.Kirby said the Biden administration had made what he called a serious proposal but "they are
not responding to our offer.""These two individuals ought to be home already
Period," he added.Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February, shortly before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, for possessing vape
cartridges with a small amount of cannabis oil.The 31-year-old, who was in Russia to play for the professional Yekaterinburg team during her
off-season from the Phoenix Mercury, was charged with smuggling narcotics.In early August she was sentenced to nine years in a penal
detained on a visit to Moscow to attend a wedding when he took a USB drive from an acquaintance, thinking it contained holiday
