Antony Blinken Says US Still 'Actively Engaged' In Prisoner Swap With Russia

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the U.S. is "actively engaged" with Russia in discussions over a prisoner swap to return American prisoners Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

Appearing on CBS News' "Face The Nation," Blinken said negotiations with Russia were ongoing.

"...We did put a significant proposal on the table many months ago. And since then, we've been engaged repeatedly, in any way that we can to try to advance it and to look to see if there are different permutations that could achieve what we're trying to achieve, which is to get our people home," Blinken said.

"Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan -- we're engaged in that on a regular basis. And it's my determination that we bring our people home. We will not stop until we do."

Griner is a professional basketball player who has been detained in Russia since February for possessing a small quantity of cannabis oil. Griner was transferred to a penal colony after being sentenced to nine years in prison.