Tuesday, a Russian court dismissed Brittney Griner's appeal against a nine-year prison term. She is currently required to spend the foreseeable future in Russian custody.
The three-judge panel in Moscow was likely to reject Griner's appeal by her legal team. However, there is still a possibility for the WNBA star to get back to America.
Theoretically, the US and Russia might negotiate a prisoner exchange. After the midterm elections, discussions might pick up.
These negotiations must be kept "strictly private" if the US and Russia are to negotiate a prisoner swap.
In regards to a hypothetical prisoner swap involving Griner, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated,
"We constantly say that any talks about possible exchanges can only be handled in quiet under a tight lid on any information."