Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that negotiations for a possible prisoner exchange with the United States can only be carried out in conditions of «secrecy and silence».
Thus, Moscow has shown itself partly open to initiate talks that could lead to the release of basketball player Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, sentenced in Russia, in exchange for arms dealer Viktor Bout, sentenced to 24 years in the United States.
In statements to the press, Peskov has refused to assess the decision of the Russian Justice on Griner, whose appeal was denied and a nine-year prison sentence for smuggling drugs into Russia was confirmed.
Griner was arrested last February 17 at Moscow airport in possession of cannabis oil cartridges. After pleading guilty during the trial and assuming she made a «mistake», she was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug possession and smuggling.
The White House, for whom Griner’s arrest was unjust, has advocated exchanging the player and former Marine Paul Whelan — imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges — for Tajik arms dealer Viktor Bout, known as the ‘merchant of war’, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.
In fact, both the White House and the State Department reacted on Tuesday to Griner’s conviction and took the opportunity to emphasize that they are still engaged in talks with the Kremlin to finalize the release of both Americans.
«The president (Joe Biden) has shown that he is willing to do everything possible and make tough decisions to bring Americans home,» said U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday.
