“Can’t Forget about Paul Whelan”: Top US Official Provides Big Update on Brittney Griner’s Future

Top US diplomat Bill Richardson has provided a key update on the Brittney Griner situation that indicates a possible tw0-for-two prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States. In fact, the former US Congressman has stressed the inclusion of Paul Whelan in a deal to free Brittney Griner.

The Russian courts have recently sentenced the WNBA star to nine years in prison. However, officials of the Biden administration have been working to broker a deal with Moscow to free Griner. As it turns out, the Russian authorities have shown interest in a potential prisoner swap.

Media reports have implicated Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout as a potential beneficiary of such a deal. Meanwhile, former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson has underscored the importance of a two-for-two deal.

Top US Diplomat provides big update on the Brittney Griner situation

In December 2018, the Russian Federal Security Service(FSB) detained former US Marine Corps reserve Paul Whelan for suspected espionage. Since then, the American citizen has been serving a 16-year sentence in Russia.

“Can’t forget about Paul Whelan,” emphasized Richardson. “My view is optimistic, I think she’s gonna be free. There’s gonna be a prisoner swap — I think it’s gonna be two-for-two.”

Incidentally, Richardson specializes in release negotiations for American prisoners overseas. In 2021, he facilitated the release of U.S. journalist Danny Fenster from a prison in Myanmar. And so far, he has been an integral part of the Brittney Griner negotiations.

Meanwhile, different sections of society have expressed concerns in the past regarding the ethics of prisoner swaps. In addition, there’s the argument that frequent prisoner swaps could incentivize foreign nations to detain more Americans.

However, Richardson has dismissed any such chances. Instead, he highlighted the importance of providing a safe passage home to detained Americans.

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“All of these that are wrongfully detained need to come home,” he added. “And our objective should be, despite prisoner exchanges that are not popular, to bring American hostages home.”

The negotiations continue

The negotiations of a possible prisoner swap are still ongoing. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently revealed that the administration has made a substantial offer to Moscow.

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However, there’s no confirmation of any agreement yet. Meanwhile, Kremlin has asked Washington to continue negotiations through a secure channel without outside publicity. Which has further raised concerns in the American camp.