No deal yet on prisoner swap between Russia, US: Kremlin

By Emre Gurkan Abay

MOSCOW (AA) – No agreement has been reached yet between Russia and the US on a prisoner swap, a Kremlin spokesman said on Thursday.

“There is no agreement so far,” Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a question on a plan to swap Russian national Viktor Bout for American nationals Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.

CNN reported earlier that the Biden administration offered to swap convicted Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout for the two Americans.

Bout is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence and the Justice Department has opposed the potential exchange.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US has made a "substantial proposal" to secure the release of two Americans jailed in Russia.

“Our governments have communicated repeatedly and directly on that proposal, and I will use the conversation to follow up personally, and I hope, move us toward a resolution,” added Blinken.