Biden expresses hope Putin will be more willing to negotiate Brittney Griner's release now

President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he is “determined” to bring WNBA star Brittney Griner home, adding that he's hopeful Russian President Vladimir Putin will be willing to negotiate “more seriously” about a prisoner exchange now that the midterm election is over.

Speaking at a post-midterm press conference, the president said he has been in contact with Griner’s wife about the administration’s latest engagements with Russia. Griner, who has been detained since February, is being moved to a Russian penal colony, according to her legal team. These types of prison facilities are known for cruel living conditions.

“My intention is to get her home, and we’ve had a number of discussions so far, and I’m hopeful that now that our election is over, there’s a willingness to negotiate more specifically with us,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “I am determined to get her home and to get her home safely.”

The president's remarks come before he's set to take off for a trip to Asia. He'll be in Indonesia next week for the G-20 summit where he could cross paths with the Russian leader. It's not yet clear if Putin will show, though Biden has expressed his willingness to meet with his Russian counterpart — but only to discuss Griner's release.

Griner was convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison in August after she was accused of bringing vape cartridges containing cannabis oil into Russia, which is illegal in the country. A Russian court upheld the sentence last month, rejecting Griner’s appeal.

In a statement sent out early Wednesday, the White House said it has continued to follow up on a “significant offer” to Russia, while putting additional proposals on the table to secure the release of Griner and other Americans, like Paul Whelan, who has been accused of espionage.

Biden has “directed the Administration to prevail on her Russian captors to improve her treatment and the conditions she may be forced to endure in a penal colony,” the statement said.

Biden, when asked about the alternative paths offered to Russia, said it wouldn’t be “wise” to disclose private negotiations.

“It would not be a wise thing to do in order to see if they would move forward," he said. "But it is my — I'm telling you, I am determined to get her home and get her home safely, along with others I might add.”