The Biden administration said on Tuesday that WNBA superstar Brittney Griner is being wrongfully detained by the Russian government — a shift in language that indicates the U.S. will work more aggressively to secure her release.

The State Department hadn’t gone so far in its previous statements about Griner, who was arrested at an airport outside Moscow in February after authorities there reportedly found vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage.

“The U.S. government will continue to undertake efforts to provide appropriate support to Ms. Griner,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Her detention came just days before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, which garnered swift rebukes and punishing sanctions from the U.S., where Griner is a citizen. There are fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use Griner as a political prisoner to get something from the U.S.