LONDON (Reuters) – Russia said on Friday it hopes to arrange a prisoner swap with the United States that will include convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death”, and women’s basketball star Brittney Griner.
In the midst of Europe’s deadliest conflict since WWII, Russia and the United States are exploring a deal that would allow imprisoned Americans, including Griner, to return to the United States in exchange for Bout.
“I want to hope that the outlook will not only change but continue to strengthen, and the moment will come when we can reach a concrete agreement,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov quoted the Interfax news agency as saying.
“The Americans show some foreign activity, we work professionally through a special channel developed for this,” said Ryabkov. Among those discussed is Viktor Bout and we are absolutely confident in a positive outcome.”
For two former Cold War adversaries currently grappling with the most serious conflict since the 1962 Missile Crisis, the deal could be one of the most extraordinary prisoner swaps in history.
The blatantly vivid statement by Ryabkov, head of America and Arms Control at the Russian Foreign Ministry, contradicts Moscow’s earlier statements warning Washington of attempts to launch “megaphone diplomacy” in the case of prisoner exchanges.
The possible swap includes Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in Russia after being convicted of drug-related crimes, and Paul Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence in Russia after being convicted of espionage.
source: Noticias
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.