Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, American officials said.
By ERIC TUCKER and MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price — and left behind an American jailed for nearly four years in Russia.
Biden's authorization to release a Russian felon once nicknamed"the Merchant of Death" underscored the escalating pressure that his administration faced to get Griner home, particularly after the recent resolution of her criminal case and her subsequent transfer to a penal colony. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Russian and U.S. officials had conveyed cautious optimism in recent weeks after months of strained negotiations, with Biden saying in November that he was hopeful that Russia would engage in a deal now that the midterm elections were completed. A top Russian official said last week that a deal was possible before year's end.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
WNBA Star Brittney Griner Freed in US-Russia Prisoner SwapWNBA star Brittney Griner is free Thursday after the Biden administration negotiated her release from a Russian penal colony in exchange for an arms dealer.
Consulte Mais informação »
LIVE: WNBA star Brittney Griner star freed in US-Russia prisoner swapU.S. officials reported Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in a prisoner swap, with US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swapBREAKING: Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap, with US releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap; US releases arms dealer Viktor Bout | LIVEThe swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price.
Consulte Mais informação »
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap; US releases arms dealer Viktor Bout | LIVEThe swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price.
Consulte Mais informação »