President Joe Biden said on Tuesday his administration was “in constant contact” with Russian authorities to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from their custody.

Biden said that while there had not yet been progress in securing Griner’s release, he added “we’re not stopping.”

Biden was made his comments while while getting a new COVID-19 booster shot.

This comes a day after a Russian court denied Griner’s request for an appeal and reaffirmed her nine-year sentence to a penal colony for drug possession. She was convicted by a Moscow court on Aug. 4 after being found in possession of vape cartridges that held cannabis oil at Sheremetyevo Airport.

Griner was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment, near the maximum penalty of 10 years in Russia. Since July, there has been speculation that Griner may be released as part of an exchange of prisoners with Russia.

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