![]() ![]() They put him in a special category that just made it impossible, at this moment, for us to get both of them home."ĭuring an appearance on the Today Show, Kirby said the U.S. "They treated him very differently, based on the sham espionage charges that they levied against him. "We are actively working to try to get Paul home," he said. Kirby said communication channels with Russia regarding negotiations for Whelan's release are "still open." ![]() ![]() "But it became very apparent, certainly late last week, that the only deal possible was Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout." "That was the goal: To get them both," he said. President Joe Biden's administration has been working "for months" on negotiations to bring both Griner and Whelan back to the U.S., Kirby told MSNBC's Morning Joe. traded Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for Griner. Kirby discussed Whelan during appearances he made on several major news networks after WNBA player Brittney Griner was released from Russia in a prisoner swap, in which the U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said Friday. ![]() is "actively working" on negotiations to secure the release of American Paul Whelan from imprisonment in Russia, U.S. US 'Actively Working' to Free Paul Whelan The NBA's Phoenix Suns also shared their gratitude that Griner was free. "And her health and her safety is the most important thing." "We're just glad she's back, we're just so happy she's reunited with her family and we get to move forward," she said. Nygaard added that the team will support Griner "if she chooses to continue to play," but added that "this isn't really the time" to discuss that. When she's ready, we're ready to celebrate with her." "We want to support her, give her the space she needs and make sure she's feeling OK. "Mental health is very important in our league as well as maybe the physical conditions she's been under," she said. Nygaard said the team missed Griner "every day" and will allow her time to recover. Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard told CNN that the news of Griner's release was unexpected but a "wonderful relief and total joy." Today, she comes home □ /GP6LOyUJNC- Phoenix Mercury December 8, 2022 We prayed, we fought, and we used our voices to share BG’s story with the world. officials said Friday that they are still "actively working" on negotiating terms for Whelan's release. The deal that moved forward on Thursday only included Griner and Bout, though U.S. had asked if it would be possible to include Krasikov in the deal, even as American officials brought forth other prisoners for Russia's consideration. He was convicted last year on murder charges and is now serving a life sentence, the network reported. Krasikov is currently serving time in Germany. on Thursday to secure Griner's release.Īs negotiations surrounding the prisoner swap continued, Russia said it would not release Whelan without Krasikov also being released, according to CNN. Krasikov's name was reportedly added to that of Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who was ultimately traded by the U.S. officials they wanted Vadim Krasikov, who used to work as a colonel in Russia's domestic spy agency, to be part of a prisoner exchange involving Whelan and WNBA player Brittney Griner. In August, CNN reported that Russia told U.S. for a Russian spy currently serving time in Germany. Russia reportedly was interested in trading American Paul Whelan as part of a prisoner swap with the U.S. Russia Reportedly Wanted Spy in Germany for Whelan ![]()
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