JAKARTA - Former NBA star Dennis Rodman announced on Saturday he would fly to Russia to lobby for the release of Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was recently sentenced to nine years in prison on drug-related charges.
"I got permission to go to Russia to help the woman. I'm trying to travel this week," at a restaurant in Washington, DC, Rodman told NBC News.
If Rodman travels to Russia, it will not be the first time he has engaged in covert diplomacy with a world leader who has bad relations with the United States.
Over the past ten years, Rodman has built ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and visited the hermit nation several times.
He appeared on the sidelines of a meeting between Kim and former president Donald Trump in Singapore in 2018. Additionally, he claims to have played a role in getting Kenneth Bae out of North Korea.
Meanwhile, in reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States has imposed severe sanctions on the Red Bear Country and has supported the Ukrainian armed forces.
Now, Griner's detention has added to the already existing friction between the two countries.
However, Rodman claims to have good relations with Russia, especially President Vladimir Putin. After visiting Moscow in 2014, he described Putin as "exceptional".
Only a visa from Moscow is required for Rodman to enter Russia. However, the State Department has issued a travel warning that strongly advises Americans not to travel to the country.
According to NBC News, Rodman expressed confidence in his understanding of Putin despite having a much better relationship with Kim.
"I know Putin very well," said Rodman.
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