Just in case you need any further proof that everything is off the rails in 2022, former NBA star Dennis Rodman announced he is planning on traveling to Russia this week to help secure the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner. Rodman says he has received permission to go and give it a try. The question is who gave him permission?
Griner is undoubtedly being used as a political pawn. Joe Biden and the White House haven’t done much other than put out statements about Griner’s ridiculous imprisonment. Now, a former NBA player who happens to know how to talk with dictators is heading to Russia to essentially try and work out a deal.
“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman said. “I’m trying to go this week.”
This isn’t the first time that Rodman has attempted to be a pseudo-ambassador between the U.S. and another country that has strained relations. The five-time NBA champion has developed interesting relationships with North Korea and Russia, even claiming at one point that Russian President Vladimir Putin was “actually cool.” Rodman also claimed that the Trump White House thanked him for helping to ease tensions between the U.S. and Russia.
The NBC report did not specify who Rodman claims gave him “permission” to travel to Russia to lobby for Griner’s release.
Rodman has received publicity for cultivating a friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Rodman has made many trips to North Korea to visit him. In 2018, he showed up in Singapore during Trump’s meeting with Kim Jong-un. Rodman also credits himself with helping secure the release of an American, Kenneth Bae, from North Korea.
Americans do not currently require special permission to travel to Russia. However, a State Department travel advisory warns U.S. citizens not to enter the country.
“Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the singling out of U.S. citizens in Russia by Russian government security officials including for detention, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19-related restrictions, and terrorism,” the warning reads.
“U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart Russia immediately,” the statement adds. “Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions.”
American credit and debit cards are no longer working in Russia, while electronic funds transfer to the nation is limited, the State Department notes.
Although the State Department has already been in negotiations to free Griner, the efforts have seemingly failed so far.
“I never meant to hurt anybody, I never meant to put in jeopardy the Russian population, I never meant to break any laws here,” Griner said ahead of the delivery of the verdict earlier this month. “I made an honest mistake and I hope that in your ruling that it doesn’t end my life here. I know everybody keeps talking about political pawn and politics, but I hope that that is far from this courtroom.”
Deals between the White House and the Kremlin have been bandied about since July, but little progress has been made to obtain Griner’s freedom.
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