US offers to swap Russian arms dealer for Brittney Griner, fellow imprisoned American

The United State of America government has offered to swap a Russian arms dealer for WNBA star Brittney Griner and fellow imprisoned American Paul Whelan, according to a report from CNN.

“After months of internal debate, the Biden administration has offered to exchange Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year US prison sentence, as part of a potential deal to secure the release of two Americans held by Russia, Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, according to people briefed on the matter,” wrote CNN. “These sources told CNN that the plan to trade Bout for Whelan and Griner received the backing of President Joe Biden after being under discussion since earlier this year.

“Biden’s support for the swap overrides opposition from the Department of Justice, which is generally against prisoner trades.”

Continuing, CNN added that a senior administration official told them on Wednesday that they believe the offer “could be successful.”

“We communicated a substantial offer that we believe could be successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians,” a senior administration official told CNN. “We communicated that a number of weeks ago, in June.”

Additionally, the senior official also explained to CNN that it hasn’t been an easy road negotiating the aforementioned deal.

“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,” the official said. “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.”

CNN added that the families of Whelan — who has been held by Russia for alleged espionage since 2018 — Griner, who has been jailed in Moscow for drug possession since February, have urged the White House to secure their release, including via a prisoner exchange if necessary.

More on Brittney Griner, letter to President Joe Biden

Earlier this month on the Fourth of July, Brittney Griner sent the President of the United States a letter in an effort to ramp up the efforts to get her home.

“… as I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” Griner’s statement to President Biden read. “On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran. It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.

“I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American Detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home. I voted for the first time in 2020 and I voted for you. I believe in you. I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore. I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know they are suffering so much right now. I am grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me home.”