Biden: No progress on Brittney Griner’s release

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that there has been no progress in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the detention of American Brittney Griner in Russia.

Biden told CNN on Tuesday that he might meet with Putin at next month’s G20 meeting if the Russian leader wanted to discuss the detained WNBA basketball player, but that he had no intention of meeting with Putin at all, though that would depend on circumstances.

Biden also said he doubted Putin could use tactical nuclear weapons.

Recall that former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson said last week that during a trip to Russia in September he discussed the Griner issue with high-ranking Russian officials and people close to Putin.

Richardson did so privately, without representing the U.S. government.

The Biden administration has distanced itself from Richardson’s trip and efforts in Russia, and senior U.S. officials have said in recent weeks that private individuals cannot negotiate on behalf of the U.S. government.