Russia’s foreign minister said he was open to discussing a prison swap to release WNBA star Brittney Griner and another imprisoned American in exchange for ‘Merchant of Death’ convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Kremlin Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that he would accept a call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, adding that he was not aware of any deal, despite Blinken’s statement Wednesday that America made a “substantial offer” weeks ago. ‘ had done.
“I will listen to what he has to say,” Lavrov said during a visit to Uzbekistan.
Although Blinken did not specify what America’s offer would be to free Griner and Paul Whelan, a Michigan Marine, John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, said the US suggested trading Bout.
Putin’s top diplomat said he would be willing to discuss the trade once he returns to Moscow and the timing of the call was being worked out.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he was open to discussing the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner (left) and Paul Whelan (right), a Michigan security executive.
To release the Americans, US officials said they had offered to extradite Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout (center), known as the “Merchant of Death.”
Lavrov (left) said he was not aware of any deals before Friday, despite US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying on Wednesday that America had made a “substantial offer” weeks ago.
Asked on Thursday about the US offer, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov replied that the prisoner swap was typically negotiated discreetly behind the scenes.
“We know such issues are being discussed without any information being released,” Peskov said during a conference call. ‘Normally, the public learns from the implementation of the agreements.’
On Wednesday, Blinken told reporters: “Weeks ago, there was a substantial proposal on the table to facilitate their release. Our governments have communicated on that proposal repeatedly and directly.
“And I will use the conversation to follow up personally and I hope we can come to a solution.”
Blinken’s comments marked the first time the US government has publicly disclosed the concrete action it has taken to secure Griner’s release.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and player for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury was arrested Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport when inspectors found vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.
Cannabis is illegal in Russia with no exceptions for medicinal treatment.
Griner’s arrest came at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, before Russia sent troops to Ukraine on February 24.
Griner’s five-month detention has sparked strong criticism from teammates and supporters across the United States.
Griner (pictured Wednesday), a two-time Olympic gold medalist and player for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, was arrested Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport.
Griner’s five-month detention has sparked strong criticism among teammates and supporters across the US who are calling on the Biden government to broker her release
The 31-year-old has pleaded guilty but said she had no criminal intent to bring the cartridges to Russia and hastily packed for her return to play in a Russian basketball league during the WNBA’s off-season.
Her drug possession trial began this month in a court outside Moscow, and she testified on Wednesday that she did not know how the cartridges ended up in her bag, but that she had received a doctor’s advice to use cannabis to treat occupational pain.
Griner told the Russian court that although she was aware of the law of the country, she needed the cannabis to ease her pain and do well in the season.
“It’s the most important part of the season, after the break. It’s playoffs,” Griner said. All season I’ve been working, my team has been working hard to get to a good position.
“There was nothing that would change that for me. I didn’t want to disappoint my team.
“I knew about the ‘don’t fly’ advice, but like I said, there was nothing that would make me change my mind when I came back and finish my job for my team,” she added.
The 31-year-old has pleaded guilty, but said she had no criminal intent to bring the cartridges to Russia and hurriedly packed for her return to play in a Russian basketball league during the WNBA’s off-season.
She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of drug trafficking.
The Biden administration has faced political pressure to release Griner and other Americans who are being “unjustly detained” by the US — a clue that has been sharply rejected by Russian officials.
Whelan, a corporate security manager from Michigan, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on charges of espionage. He and his family have vigorously asserted his innocence
Whelan (pictured behind Russian bars in 2019 during his trial) was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 2020 on charges of espionage. The US has labeled the allegations false
Bout, 55, illegally sold 700 surface-to-air missiles, thousands of cannons, high-tech helicopters and planes equipped with grenade launchers and counted the Taliban, Muammar Gaddafi and Liberian dictator Charles Taylor as his clients.
Bout inspired the character of Nicolas Cage, arms dealer Yuri Orlov, in the 2005 film Lord of War
Russia has for years expressed interest in the release of Bout, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2012 for arms sales.
The former Soviet officer, 55, illegally sold 700 surface-to-air missiles, thousands of cannons, high-tech helicopters and planes equipped with grenade launchers, counting the Taliban, Muammar Gaddafi and Liberian dictator Charles Taylor among his clients.
He was caught by authorities in Thailand in 2011 after a sting operation, but his arrest and conviction have long aggravated Moscow.
“Today, one of the world’s most prolific arms dealers is held accountable for his sordid past,” said former Attorney General Eric Holder after Bout’s arrest in 2011.
Bout was the main inspiration for Nicolas Cage’s character in the 2005 film Lord of War.