Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
Dennis Rodman to Travel to Russia to Secure Release of Brittney Griner
Dennis Rodman, the former NBA player, says he is traveling to Russia to seek the release of Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner.The out WNBA star has been detained in Moscow since February of this year when Russian authorities at the Sheremetyevo Airport discovered vape canisters with cannabis oil inside of her luggage.
Earlier this month, Griner was convicted and sentenced to 9 years in prison over the charges."I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News. “I'm trying to go this week."The Biden administration responded, warning that Rodman is more likely to make the situation worse than better. “It’s public information that the administration has made a significant offer to the Russians,” a senior Biden administration official told the outlet. “Anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to complicate and hinder release efforts.”In response to Griner’s detainment, President Joe Biden sought to exchange the basketball player’s freedom for the release of imprisoned Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout.
While the proposal has neither been accepted nor declined, officials are “hopeful” a resolution can be reached.The Biden administration has classified Griner as "wrongfully detained."Rodman previously visited Moscow in 2014, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin as "cool,” according to NBC News.
He has also developed a relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and was present for the meeting between Kim and former President Donald Trump in Singapore back in 2018.
