U.S. officials say Russia is wrongfully detaining both Novi native Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner.
President Biden recently met with their families, assuring them his administration continues working to secure Whelan and Griner’s release.
Now former U.S. Ambassador and governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson tells CNN he is “cautiously optimistic” the Americans could be freed within months.
Richardson says he met with Kremlin officials as a private citizen.
In April, Richardson helped convince Russia to release former U-S Marine Trevor Reed as part of a prisoner exchange, even though the war in Ukraine was well underway.
