Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that Moscow was willing to discuss with Washington a prisoner exchange involving basketball player Brittney Griner, via a presidential-level communication channel.
The American basketball star, who hoped to be able to leave Russia and "come home soon", was found guilty of cannabis trafficking late Thursday afternoon.
She was sentenced to nine years in prison and a fine of one million rubles (about 16,000 euros).
“We are ready to discuss this subject, but only within the framework of the channel (of communication) which was agreed by the presidents (Vladimir) Putin and (Joe) Biden”, indicated Sergei Lavrov, during a conference of press from Cambodia.
“There is a special channel, which is agreed by the presidents, and despite some public statements, this channel retains all its relevance,” he continued.
“If the Americans still decide to engage in public diplomacy and make resounding statements (…) it is their business, and even their problem,” added the Russian minister, assuring that Washington “cannot” work “calmly and professionally” on many subjects.
The United States proposed the exchange as early as last week
Last week, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken and his counterpart Sergei Lavrov had their first discussions since the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.
Antony Blinken said he pressed his counterpart to accept Washington's "substantial offer" to Moscow to secure the release of Griner and another American detained in Russia, Paul Whelan, who is serving a 16-year prison sentence for spying.
According to several American media, it would be a question of exchanging a famous Russian arms trafficker detained in the United States, Viktor Bout, against Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.
Also Thursday, the White House "urged" Russia to accept its "serious offer" of prisoner exchanges, in order to obtain the return to the United States of basketball player Brittney Griner and another American national, Paul Whelan .
“We made a substantial offer to bring her and Paul Whelan home.
We urge Russia to accept this proposal,” said spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, denouncing the “abusive detention” of the basketball star, sentenced Thursday in Russia to nine years in prison for drug trafficking.