Biden Administration Offers an Exchange , for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.<br />Biden Administration Offers an Exchange , for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.<br />CNN reports that the Biden administration has offered to exchange Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout for the release of Griner and Whelan.<br />CNN reports that the Biden administration has offered to exchange Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout for the release of Griner and Whelan.<br />CNN reports that the Biden administration has offered to exchange Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout for the release of Griner and Whelan.<br />Bout is currently serving a <br />25-year sentence in the United States.<br />Biden reportedly supports the swap even though it goes against the Department of Justice's general stance on prisoner trades. .<br />Biden reportedly supports the swap even though it goes against the Department of Justice's general stance on prisoner trades. .<br />We communicated a substantial offer that we believe could be successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians. We communicated that a number of weeks ago, in June, Senior administration official, to CNN.<br />The administration official said the move was <br />in Russia's "court to be responsive to it," .<br />... "yet at the same time that does not leave us passive, as we continue to communicate the offer at very senior levels.".<br />Whelan has been held in Russia since <br />2018 for alleged espionage.<br />WNBA star Griner has been in Moscow since February for possessing cannabis vape cartridges. .<br />WNBA star Griner has been in Moscow since February for possessing cannabis vape cartridges. .<br />Both are classified by the <br />U.S. as wrongfully detained.<br />Both are classified by the <br />U.S. as wrongfully detained.<br />Griner testified in a Russian courtroom <br />on July 27. Her trial will have to conclude <br />before a deal can be finalized. .<br />Griner testified in a Russian courtroom <br />on July 27. Her trial will have to conclude <br />before a deal can be finalized.
