The Biden administration has formally asked Moscow to make a deal aimed at bringing home WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, both of whom are imprisoned in Russia on dubious charges.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed Wednesday that U.S. officials presented Russia with a “significant proposal” weeks ago relating Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan, but declined to confirm reports that the Biden administration is proposing to swap the two for notorious Russian arms dealer Victor Bout, who is in prison in the United States.
A report by CNN Wednesday claimed that after months of internal debate, the administration decided recently to offer to exchange Ms.