Russia affirmed Thursday, via its Foreign Ministry, that “silent diplomacy” (discussions between two nations) was underway with the United States, on an exchange of prisoners held in each of these countries.
The American Brittney Griner, double Olympic champion and double world champion, sentenced to nine years in prison, on August 4, for drug trafficking (she possessed therapeutic cannabis, on medical prescription, which is however illegal in Russia) could be included in this exchange. She appealed her conviction last Monday.
“If Washington does not fall into propaganda”
Ivan Nechayev, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry
The US government has offered to trade Griner for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States.
” Silent diplomacy is underway and it should bear fruit, if Washington follows it and does not fall into propaganda, through hype, to score points before an election. said Ivan Nechayev, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, referring to the US midterm elections, scheduled for next November.
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