The United States of America they have done “a substantial proposition” in Moscow for the release of Americans held in Russia and the return to their homeland, as revealed today (27/7) by the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkenwho added that he will press his Russian counterpart to accept the offer, in a scheduled conversation in the coming days.
At a State Department press conference, Blinken said the US government has offered Moscow a deal to free basketball player Brittney Griner and ex-Marine Paul Whelan, noting 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 the Russian arms dealer Victor Booth – who is serving a prison sentence in the US – in exchange for the two Americans. Booth is also known as “the merchant of death”.
Washington’s proposal to Moscow comes amid growing pressure on President Biden from families of hostages and prisoners, most recently in the case of Griner – a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the US national basketball team – who has been detained in Russia since last February and is accused of drug trafficking.
Whelan was sentenced in 2020 to 16 years in prison for spying against Russia. He pleads not guilty 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.
Source: News Beast
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