Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan's families meet with Biden to discuss return to United States

President Biden began meeting with family members of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan to discuss his continuing commitment to bringing them back home safely, the White House said Friday.

Griner's wife Cherelle, her agent Lindsay Colas, Whelan's sister Elizabeth and Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan were participating in the meetings, which began at 4:51 p.m. ET.

"The primary goal of the meetings today is to be able to update the families and keep them completely apprized of where we are in the process and to make clear to them just how much a priority it is for President Biden and his whole team to get them home. That's the focus for today," National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby said Friday.