US urges Russia to consider Brittney Griner proposal

US officials strongly condemn a Russian court that has rejected an appeal by U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner of her nine-year prison sentence for drug possession, a step that could move her closer to a possible high-stakes prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington.

At the State Department, spokesman Ned Price said "This process, to put it simply, has been a sham."

The all-star center with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and two-time Olympic gold medalist was convicted Aug. 4 after police said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

Reflecting pressure on the U.S. administration to do more to bring Griner home, the U.S. secretary of state revealed in July that Washington had made a proposal to get Griner home, along with Paul Whelan, an American serving a 16-year sentence in Russia for espionage.

"We believe Russia should engage seriously and in good faith on this proposal, and we have continued to urge Moscow to do so, including in recent days," Price said.

During a press conference at the State Department, Tuesday Price responded to reports that Ukraine's nuclear energy operator says Russian forces have performed secret work at Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

The activity could shed light on Russia's unsubstantiated claims that Kyiv's forces are preparing a "provocation" involving a radioactive device.

Ukrainian nuclear operator Energoatom said Tuesday it "assumes" the Russians are preparing "a terrorist act using nuclear materials and radioactive waste" stored at the plant.

It says the destruction of containers of spent nuclear fuel would lead to a radiation accident and the contamination of several hundred square kilometers (miles) of adjacent territory.

Ukraine has dismissed Moscow's claim as an attempt to distract attention from the Kremlin's own alleged plans to detonate a dirty bomb.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meanwhile met yesterday with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

They spoke about the dangers to global security stemming from Russia's illegal and unprovoked war against Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken expressed appreciation for the IAEA's efforts to help ensure the safety and security at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, and he welcomed the IAEA's readiness to visit Ukraine in the wake of Russia's false "dirty bomb" allegations.

He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to provide resources the IAEA needs to continue its verification and monitoring responsibility in Iran, as well as a commitment to the ongoing work between IAEA and the trilateral partners of AUKUS.

"The IAEA, is an independent body. It is important to us. It's important to its mission that we do everything to preserve the independence of that mission, " Price said.

He noted that the United States looks forward to continuing our close cooperation with the IAEA.

Also, the Biden administration says Russia has given notice that it intends to stage routine drills of its nuclear capabilities amid heightened tensions over the war in Ukraine.

The Pentagon and State Department said Tuesday that Russia had complied with the terms of the last U.S.-Russia arms control agreement in notifying Washington of the upcoming tests.

Under the terms of the START II treaty, the two countries are obliged to give advance notice of such drills so they are not mistaken for actual hostilities.

Price said the notification was "important" even as "Russia engages in unprovoked aggression and reckless nuclear rhetoric."

"These notification measures do ensure that we are not taken by surprise and reduce the risks of misperception," he said.

Neither the Pentagon nor the State Department offered details about the Russian notification, which came as Russia accuses Ukraine of plotting to use a dirty bomb on its own territory, a move the Kremlin says could lead to nuclear retaliation.

In his briefing Price reiterated the support of both sides of Congress to continue support for Ukraine as it combats Russian aggression.

A group of progressive Democrats has retracted a letter to the White House urging President Joe Biden to engage in direct diplomatic talks with Russia.

This comes after the letter triggered an uproar among Democrats and raised questions about the strength of the party's support for Ukraine.

"There is continued support for security assistance for the provision of security, assistance for the provision of economic assistance for the provision of humanitarian assistance."