Kremlin Says There Is No Deal For A Prisoner Swap With The U.S.

 

Reuters: No deal yet with U.S. on Griner swap for arms dealer Bout, Russia says 

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia said on Thursday there was no deal yet with the United States on swapping detained U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner and a former Marine for an imprisoned Russian called by American prosecutors one of the world's most prolific arms dealers. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday the United States has made a "substantial offer" to Russia to release American citizens held in Russia. A source said that Washington was willing to exchange convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death." 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed surprise at the public remarks from Blinken. 

Russia has cautioned the United States that such discussions are best conducted in private. "So far, there are no agreements in this area," Peskov told reporters in Moscow. "When discussing such topics, you don't conduct information attacks."  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Kremlin spokesman looked surprised when told that the US has offered a deal to do a prisoner swap. 

Kremlin Says There Is No Deal For A Prisoner Swap With The U.S.  

Russia: No deal reached on release of Griner and Whelan -- Axios  

Russia says ‘no agreements’ yet on swap for Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan -- NYPost  

Russian officials respond to US offer for Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan: 'No agreements have been finalized' -- FOX News  

Russia Responds To Blinken: "No Deal" Reached On Detained Americans -- Zero Hedge