US Embassy staffers in Moscow were FINALLY able to visit Britney Griner in custody

U.S. diplomatic officials were finally able to visit WNBA star Brittney Griner after a Russian judge last month upheld her 9-year prison sentence.

The State Department confirmed that U.S. embassy officials in Moscow were able to visit the basketball star, whose wife and family have pleaded with officials to try to secure her release. 

'We are told she's doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances,' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

State Department spokesman Ned Price announced the visit on his Twitter account.

'They saw firsthand her tenacity and perseverance despite her present circumstances. We continue to press for the immediate release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan and fair treatment for every detained American,' he said, referencing the former Marine Moscow accused by Moscow of espionage. Whelan's family denies the charge.

'We are told she's doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances,' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters after U.S. embassy officials were able to visit WNBA star Brittney Griner 

In July, the administration offered to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout for Griner, 32, and Whelan, CNN reported at the time.

The administration has refused to confirm the details of any offer, but has upbraided Russia for failing to respond. 

'As we have said before, the US government made a significant offer to the Russians to resolve the current unacceptable and wrongful wrongful detentions of American citizens Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan,' said Jean-Pierre.

She then provided an update on negotiations that indicated the U.S. had shown movement. 

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the government has proposed 'alternative' ways to potentially free Griner, despite a failure by Moscow to respond to the latest U.S. offer

The State Department tweeted about the visit

The arrest came as Russian President Vladimir Putin launched Russia's war on Ukraine

'I can also tell you that in the subsequent weeks, despite a lack of good faith negotiation by the Russians, the US government has continued to follow up on that offer and propose alternative potential ways forward with Russians through all available channels. This continues to be a top priority,' she said.

Griner was arrested in February after police said they found vape canisters that included cannabis oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

Griner admitted having the canisters, but said she accidentally  included them when packing her luggage. She was returning to play for a Russian team. The arrest came during a moment of high tension between the U.S. and Russia, in the same month when Russia invaded Ukraine.