U.S. may do ‘2-for-2’ prisoner swap to get Griner, Whelan out of Russia: Ex-ambassador

Basketball star Brittney Griner and former Marine Paul Whelan ought to hopefully be launched from Russia as a part of a “two-for-two” prisoner swap, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Invoice Richardson mentioned Sunday.

“My view is optimistic, I feel she’s gonna be free. There’s gonna be a prisoner swap — I feel it is gonna be two for 2. Cannot overlook about Paul Whelan,” Richardson, who’s an out of doors adviser concerned in Griner’s case and who can be the previous governor of New Mexico, mentioned in an unique interview with ABC “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos.

Griner has been detained since February and was sentenced final week to 9 years in jail after she was discovered responsible of drug prices in a Moscow-area courtroom; she has mentioned she by accident traveled with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

Whelan, who labored in company safety after the Marines, was convicted of espionage — which he and the U.S. deny.

As for Richardson’s function within the ongoing negotiations over the detainees, he advised Stephanopoulos he was a “catalyst” who has been “speaking to the Russians.”

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