What is the deal between us government and russian government for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan?
the U.S. has offered a prisoner exchange in order to bring the WNBA player and Paul Whelan home. Biden reportedly backs such a deal.
The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia to bring home Brittney Griner, a WNBA basketball player from Houston facing a trial on drug charges, and Paul Whelan, another American held in Russia, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.
As part of the deal, Russia would release Griner and Whelan in exchange for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms trafficker imprisoned in the U.S., CNN reported. A senior administration official told the news outlet that the deal has the backing of President Joe Biden and is expected to be “successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians.”
Griner has been held in detention for drug possession since February. Her family has repeatedly called on the White House to secure her release, even if that includes a prisoner exchange. Whelan has been held in Russia for espionage since 2018.
