Biden Admin Offers Russian Arms Dealer In Exchange For Release Of Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan
Keneci Channel
American Women's National Basketball Association, WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty, following her detention in February for allegedly bringing cannabis oil into Russia, where it is illegal. Another American Paul Whelan who has been accused of spying in the country is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence.
Russian Viktor Bout is serving a 25-year sentence on arms trafficking and conspiracy charges in the United States.
According to CNN report Wednesday, the U.S. has “communicated a substantial offer” to the Kremlin for the release of Brittney and Whelan in exchange for Bout.
“We communicated a substantial offer that we believe could be successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians,” a senior U.S. administration official reportedly said. “We communicated that a number of weeks ago, in June. It takes two to tango. We start all negotiations to bring home Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained with a bad actor on the other side. We start all of these with somebody who has taken a human being American and treated them as a bargaining chip. So in some ways, it’s not surprising, even if it’s disheartening, when those same actors don’t necessarily respond directly to our offers, don’t engage constructively in negotiations.”
President Joe Biden has been criticized by Brittney's family for his administration's lackadaisical effort to secure the release of the basketball player.