Sunday, 3 Aug 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > US may do ‘2-for-2’ prisoner swap to get Griner, Whelan out of Russia: Ex-ambassador
World

US may do ‘2-for-2’ prisoner swap to get Griner, Whelan out of Russia: Ex-ambassador

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
US may do ‘2-for-2’ prisoner swap to get Griner, Whelan out of Russia: Ex-ambassador
SHARE

Basketball star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan should hopefully be released from Russia as part of a “two-for-two” prisoner swap, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Bill Richardson said Sunday.

“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. Can’t forget about Paul Whelan,” Richardson, who is an outside adviser involved in Griner’s case, said in an exclusive interview with ABC “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Griner has been detained since February and was sentenced last week to nine years in prison after she was found guilty of drug charges in a Moscow-area court; she has said she accidentally traveled with vape cartridges containing hashish oil.

Whelan, who worked in corporate security after the Marines, was convicted of espionage — which he and the U.S. deny.

Late last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed the administration had made a “substantial proposal” to release Griner and Whelan, which sources told ABC News included freeing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the U.S.

Richardson said Sunday that he didn’t fully agree with the Biden administration’s messaging strategy. “I wouldn’t have gone public as much as they did,” he said.

PHOTO: Former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson speaks to reporters after a news conference in New York, Nov. 16, 2021.

Former U.S. diplomat Bill Richardson speaks to reporters after a news conference in New York, Nov. 16, 2021.

Seth Wenig/AP, FILE

But, he said, sometimes comments about prisoner negotiations are made strategically when talks stall: “You want to throw a little bit of a bomb, and I think that’s what they did.”

Richardson described himself as a “catalyst” working on Griner’s case, along with other detainees. “I’ve been talking to the Russians. I talked to the White House,” he said, though he would not detail specifics of his communications.

The founder of the Richardson Center for Global Engagement — which “promotes global peace and dialogue,” according to the center’s website — Richardson recently helped free U.S. journalist Danny Fenster in Myanmar, he said. He was also involved in helping free ex-Marine Trevor Reed, who was released by Russia in April in another prisoner exchange.

Stephanopoulos questioned Richardson about why, in its comments on Griner and Whelan, the White House has publicly omitted Marc Fogel, an American educator held in Russia since August 2021.

“He’s facing a prison sentence right now. His infraction was similar to Brittney Griner’s. Shouldn’t he be included in this?” Stephanopoulos asked.

“All of these that are wrongfully detained need to come home. And our objective should be, despite prisoner exchanges that are not popular, to bring American hostages home,” Richardson said. “Some of these prisoner exchanges are not good. They don’t — the optics are not good. But we have to do it sometimes.”

PHOTO: WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in a cage at a court room prior to a hearing, in Khimki, Russia, July 27, 2022.

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner sits in a cage at a court room prior to a hearing, in Khimki, Russia, July 27, 2022.

Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via Reuters

PHOTO: In this June 15, 2020, file photo, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, holds a sign as he stands inside a defendants' cage during his verdict hearing in Moscow.

In this June 15, 2020, file photo, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, who was detained and accused of espionage, holds a sign as he stands inside a defendants’ cage during his verdict hearing in Moscow.

Maxim Shemetov/Reuters, FILE

Stephanopoulos followed up to ask if such trades “will encourage America’s adversaries to actually detain more Americans”?

“There’s no data that supports that,” Richardson said. He cited the case of Fenster: “All they wanted was a photo-op. So data doesn’t support that prisoner exchanges are always the case. Yes, they’re increasing, especially with countries like Iran, Venezuela, Russia. But as unpleasant as they are, we have to bring American hostages home.”

Blinken said in late July he had spoken with the Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, to try and push forward on negotiations.

Richardson on Sunday complimented Lavrov’s role in the issue.

“Lavrov, he and I were U.N. ambassadors together at the same time,” Richardson said. “And I’m pleased that he’s pragmatic, that he’s sort of in charge and sent a good signal. I think the negotiations are going to be undertaken.”

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Van Hollen says China’s Xi manufactured crisis over Pelosi trip to Taiwan Van Hollen says China’s Xi manufactured crisis over Pelosi trip to Taiwan
Next Article Review: A New ‘Ring’ at Bayreuth Does Wagner Without Magic Review: A New ‘Ring’ at Bayreuth Does Wagner Without Magic

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Congress certifies Trump’s election win amid excessive safety measures | First Factor

Good morning.Congress licensed Donald Trump’s presidential election victory yesterday in an occasion heavy with symbolism,…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Paul Vance, ‘Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ songwriter, dies at 92

Paul Vance, the songwriter behind "Itsy Bisty Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and hundreds…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Blasting Books with Excessive-Stress Water, Man Laramée Scales Mountains of Information

From his mountainside studio in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, Man Laramée (beforehand) creates otherworldly sculptures that…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

NBA’s Patrick Patterson’s Los Angeles-Space Residence Burglarized

A Los Angeles-area dwelling belonging to ex-NBA participant Patrick Patterson was burglarized final week ...…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Australia information dwell: Husic says Harbour Bridge march a ‘wake-up call’ for politicians; flood warnings for NSW
World

Australia information dwell: Husic says Harbour Bridge march a ‘wake-up call’ for politicians; flood warnings for NSW

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Household of Kenyan girl allegedly murdered by UK troopers criticise defence secretary
World

Household of Kenyan girl allegedly murdered by UK troopers criticise defence secretary

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Dangerous males drawback: Gareth Ward and Mark Latham go away NSW parliament in unchartered territory
World

Dangerous males drawback: Gareth Ward and Mark Latham go away NSW parliament in unchartered territory

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
In wartime, demonstrations in Ukraine can by no means be greater than a peaceable protest
World

In wartime, demonstrations in Ukraine can by no means be greater than a peaceable protest

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?