According to the US secretary of state, the Biden administration has offered a “substantial offer” to repatriate two American detainees from Russia home to the US.
According to reports, Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout could be traded for NBA star Brittney Griner.
This will be discussed with Russia’s foreign minister in a phone call next week, according to Blinken.
Since the conflict in Ukraine began, Mr. Blinken and Sergei Lavrov have not spoken.
They refused to reveal any specifics of a possible agreement on Wednesday.
Bout and fellow American captive Paul Whelan are reportedly being sought in exchange for Ms Griner.
As the New York Times reported, President Joe Biden accepted the US’ offer to trade Bout for Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan last month.
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As Bout’s lawyer explained to the Russian news site Ria Novosti, “this could change shortly” in regards to the speculation about an exchange with the defendant.
In an interview with Ria Novosti, Bout’s wife, Alla, said that neither she nor her husband are aware of any such intentions.
the “merchant of death” is serving a 25-year sentence in the United States for selling weapons to a Colombian rebel organization with the express purpose of killing Americans.
Russia “hasn’t favorably engaged so far,” said White House spokesperson John Kirby, who said an offer was made “many weeks ago.”
“Delicate job,” he said, and he admitted that going public with the suggestion was a hazardous move.
If we’re negotiating in public, “it’s not going to help us get them home,” he remarked.
After Mr Blinken’s declaration, a White House representative met with the Whelan and Griner families, and they will do so again in the next 48 hours, Mr Kirby said.
Ms Griner’s release would be the first concrete measure taken by the United States government.
Russian airport officials discovered cannabis oil in the 31-year-suitcase old’s when she returned to the United States following a stint with the Russian women’s national team.
Griner said that she had been forced to sign paperwork but that “no one explained any of it” at her drug possession trial on Wednesday.
It was also reported that she had to utilize a phone translation software to communicate in the first few hours of her incarceration, and that she had no explanation of her rights or access to a lawyer.
Even though she admitted to taking drugs, the two-time Olympic gold medalist insisted she did it in a hurry and denied intentionally breaching the law.
“I still don’t know how [the vape cartridges] wound up in my suitcases,” said Ms Griner.
“I take full responsibility, but I had no intention of smuggling anything into Russia by accident.”
As a result of her extended imprisonment, her trial will resume in August.
An ex-Marine from the United States, Mr Whelan, was detained by Russian authorities in December 2018.
In 2020, he was found guilty of spying for the United States and sentenced to 16 years in jail.
Both Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan are considered to be wrongfully detained by the United States, according to the Russians.