Could WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, who are being held in Russia, finally see freedom? Secretary of State Antony Blinken made this announcement during a state department briefing:
“In the coming days, I expect to speak with Russian foreign minister Lavrov for the first time since the war began. I plan to raise an issue that’s a top priority for us. The release of Americans, Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner, who’ve been wrongfully detained and must be allowed to come home. We put a substantial proposal on the table weeks ago to facilitate the release. Our governments have communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal. And I’ll use the conversation to follow up personally, and I hope move us toward a resolution.”
What we don’t know are the conditions under this negotiation, but sources have been saying that this would be a prisoner swap for Viktor Bout, also known as the “merchant of death.” Bout is being held in a U.S. prison after being convicted of arms trafficking. He is serving 25 years.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
