Biden meets with family members of two U.S. citizens detained in Russia

The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has received this Friday the relatives of Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, the two American citizens who have been detained in Russia, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Biden has reiterated his commitment to Whelan’s sister and Griner’s wife to work “every possible avenue” to get Brittney and Paul home safely. The White House has insisted that they have been “unjustly” held under “intolerable” conditions.

Whelan’s and Griner’s families met separately with the president, although according to the statement, both were told that “every minute that passes with them captured is a minute too long”.

This meeting follows previous meetings in which Biden, the national security team and the State Department have spoken with the family members to “keep them abreast of efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.”

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she admires the fortitude of these families facing “unimaginable circumstances.”