US proposal to release Americans held in Russia

The United States has made “a substantial offer” to Moscow to free Americans held in Russia and return them home, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken revealed today, adding that he would press his Russian counterpart to accept the offer, in a scheduled conversation they will have in the next few days.

At a State Department news conference, Blinken said the US government has proposed a deal to Moscow for the release of basketball player Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan, noting that he hopes to advance the process when he speaks with Sergei Lavrov.

“There was a substantial proposal on the table a few weeks ago to release them. Our governments have repeatedly and directly contacted us about this proposal. I will take advantage of the communication (with Sergey Lavrov) to follow up on the matter and I hope we can reach a solution,” Blinken said.

The US Secretary of State declined to disclose the trade-offs offered by the United States. The American network CNN reported that Washington was willing to release Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout – who is serving a prison sentence in the US – in exchange for the two Americans.

Washington’s proposal to Moscow comes amid growing pressure on President Biden from families of hostages and prisoners, most recently the case of Griner – a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the US national basketball team – who is being held in Russia since last February and is accused of drug trafficking.

Whelan was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison for spying for Russia. He declares his innocence and maintains that he was the victim of fraud. Washington has requested his release.

Another former Marine, Trevor Reed, was recently released as part of a US-Russia prisoner exchange deal.

Relations between Washington and Moscow are at their lowest point in years due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

RES-EMP

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