U.S. Offers Russia Deal For Brittney Griner’s Release
On Wednesday (July 27), the Biden administration offered a deal to Russia in order to bring WNBA star Brittney Griner home from detainment in the country.
According to the Associated Press, the potential deal, which also includes fellow American Paul Whelan, was announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a sharp reversal of previous policy. Additionally Blinken said he expects to speak with his Kremlin counterpart for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The announcement marks the first time the U.S. government has publicly revealed solid steps in an attempt to secure Griner’s release. She’s been detained in Russia since February after she was arrested at a Moscow airport on drug-related charges.
The details of the proposed deal were not expounded upon by Blinken. It’s also unclear if it will be enough for Russia to release the jailed Americans. Previously, the U.S. has shunned Russia’s offers for a prisoner swap.
For years, Russia has expressed interest in the release of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer once labeled the “Merchant of Death” who was sentenced to 25 years in prison on charges that he schemed to illegally sell weapons.
