The Latest Breaking News from Roger Carstens

PHOENIX — Before Brittney Griner’s first 3-pointer in nearly two years splashed through the net at the Footprint Center, the crowd had already launched to its feet.

The family of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich received a handwritten letter from him on Friday — the first direct contact with them since his arrest in the end of March.

The U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs says he is confident that two Americans detained by Russia can be brought home.

It’s been almost two weeks since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia, and the United States still knows very little about his well-being and the treatment he’s getting while behind bars.

The return of Brittney Griner to the United States in a dramatic prisoner swap with Russia marked the culmination of a 10-month ordeal that captivated world attention, a saga that landed at the intersection of sports, politics, race and gender identity — and wartime diplomacy

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he had turned down a proposed one-for-one prisoner swap with Russia that would have brought Michigan's Paul Whelan home.

Presidential envoy Roger Carstens discussed his conversation with Griner on CNN.

Biden administration officials will meet early Monday to discuss next steps in securing the release of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was jailed in Russia in 2020 on spying charges, President Joe Biden's top hostage negotiator said on Sunday.

After Russia turned down a ‘very serious’ proposal, US officials say Joe Biden’s administration is committed to securing former Marine’s release

‘I have been in prison for 10 months now listening to Russian. I want to talk’

The U.S. special envoy who helped secure WNBA star Brittney Griner’s release from Russian custody said he spoke to detained American Paul Whelan and assured him “we’re coming to get you.”