T.J.Quinn said that the nine-year prison sentence was expected. There is a time and a place for it.
The Secretary of State said the nine-year sentence given to the basketball player "compounds the injustice" she has gone through in Russia.
"It puts a spotlight on our very significant turn with Russia's legal system and the Russian government's use of wrongful detentions to advance its own agenda using individuals as political pawns," he said.
The man was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined over a million dollars. She had been arrested at the Moscow airport for possession of cannabis oil.
As Russia was not going to move forward with a trade until her trial was completed, the verdict and sentencing were expected to start the process of bringing her back to the US.
Russia was ready to discuss a prisoner swap in private, according to Sergey Lavrov. The presidents of Russia and the U.S. agreed on a diplomatic channel that should be used to negotiate a swap.
"We are ready to discuss this topic, but within the framework of the channel that was agreed upon by President Putin and Vice President Biden," he said. "If the Americans decide to once again resort to public diplomacy, that is their problem."
There is a chance of a prisoner swap for two Americans imprisoned in Russia. According to sources, a deal would involve convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is currently in the United States.
John Kirby said Thursday that the United States had made a serious proposal to Russia.
Kirby urged them to accept the offer. It should have been accepted a long time ago.
Russia and the United States swapped prisoners in April, trading a former Marine for a Russian pilot who was sentenced to 20 years in the US. The exchange was seen as a sign of an open diplomatic channel between the two countries after Reed was reported to be in poor health.
The Kremlin spokesman wouldn't comment on the court's decision. He said that the clemency procedure was in Russian law.
The U.S. has made mistakes trying to solve problems via phone diplomacy. They don't solve that way.
The defense lawyers say they will appeal. According to the defense team, the court ignored all of the evidence it presented in sentencing.
Biden called on Russia to let her go so she can be with her family.
Biden said at the White House that he was hopeful. We're doing our best.
This report was contributed to by the Associated Press.
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