The U.S. has reportedly proposed a prisoner swap with Russia to secure Griner's release


The Biden administration has reportedly offered to exchange Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker serving time in the U.S., for Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, who have been held in Russia since February and 2018, respectively, CNN reports per individuals familiar with the matter.
"We communicated a substantial offer that we believe could be successful based on a history of conversations with the Russians," a senior administration official told CNN Wednesday. "We communicated that a number of weeks ago, in June."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also confirmed the proposed deal, The Associated Press reports.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Justice Department initially resisted offering up Bout for both Whelan and Griner, who are stuck in Russia on charges pertaining to alleged espionage and drug possession, respectively. But top DOJ officials eventually relented when the arrangement garnered support from State Department and White House officials, "including Biden himself," CNN writes, per sources. Otherwise, the U.S. government does its best to avoid prisoner swaps, lest they incentivize other countries to use Americans as "bargaining chips."
Notably, both countries will have to wait to finalize any such deal until Griner's ongoing drug trial concludes. The WNBA star in July pleaded guilty to the charges but said she unintentionally brought the cannabis vape cartridges in question into Russia. She could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
The White House has been under increasing pressure to secure Griner's release as of late, especially after managing to bring former marine Trevor Reed home earlier this year.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Thieves nab French crown jewels from Louvre
Speed Read A gang of thieves stole 19th century royal jewels from the Paris museum’s Galerie d’Apollon
-
Bolivia elects centrist over far-right presidential rival
Speed Read Relative political unknown Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, was elected president
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies
Speed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies
Speed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats