Former NBA player Dennis Rodman said he is planning to visit Russia to seek the release of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star recently sentenced to nine years in prison on drug smuggling charges.
“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman told NBC News Saturday. “I’m trying to go this week.”
Rodman does not need permission from the U.S. State Department to visit Russia; all that is required is a visa from Moscow.
The State Department has issued a travel advisory that strongly discourages American citizens from visiting Russia.
“Do not travel to Russia,” the State Department advises, citing multiple reasons, including the “unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine,” potential “harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials,” and the possibility of “wrongful detention.”
If Rodman goes to Russia, it will not be the first time he has informally inserted himself into a diplomatic situation with an international leader who has a complicated relationship with the U.S.
Rodman has formed a relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un over the past decade, making multiple visits to the country. In 2018, he showed up on the sidelines of former President Donald Trump’s meeting with Kim in Singapore.
Rodman even cited his cozy relationship with Kim in crediting himself with helping to secure the release of American Kenneth Bae from North Korea.
Rodman does not have as close a relationship with Vladimir Putin, though he previously called the Russian President “cool” after a 2014 trip to Moscow.
Still, Rodman expressed confidence that he could relate to Russia’s president.
“I know Putin too well,” he told NBC.
Griner is classified as wrongfully detained by the State Department. Earlier this month, Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations frequently involved in hostage negotiations, said he was optimistic about a swap that would result in the release of Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, would take place.
The U.S. has reportedly offered imprisoned Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Griner and Whelan.
An unnamed senior official in the Biden Administration told NBC that Rodman visiting Russia to seek the release of Griner would cause more harm than good.
“It’s public information that the administration has made a significant offer to the Russians and anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to complicate and hinder release efforts,” said the official.
