“This very sensitive issue of the exchange of convicted Russian and American citizens is being discussed through the channels designated by our Presidents. These individuals are, indeed, being discussed. The Russian side has long sought the release of Viktor Bout. to be left to the professionals, based on the ‘do no harm’ principle,” Dartsev told TASS. Dartsev was responding to a request for comment on US news reports that US officials had sent a proposal to Moscow to swap Bout for Griner and Whelan, TASS reported. During months of internal discussions between the US agencies, the Justice Department objected to Bout’s plea deal, people briefed on the matter say. But Justice officials eventually conceded that the Bout trade has the support of top State Department and White House officials, including President Joe Biden, sources say. The Russian government has often cited Bout as a potential trade item for several Americans. Booth’s lawyer said he is “confident” the exchange will go through. CNN’s Kylie Atwood, Evan Perez, Jennifer Hansler and Chandelis Duster contributed to this report.
