Sporadic progress in Russia-US talks on prisoner swap, diplomat says

Talks between Russia, the United States and Russia on securing the exchange of high-profile prisoners have made only sporadic progress according to a Russian diplomat.

Both countries are looking at ways to make it possible for Brittney Griner (American jailer) and Paul Whelan (American prisoner) to be released. Moscow made it clear that it would like Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer, to be included in any agreement.

Ryabkov explained to Izvestia that exchange questions are dealt with in a separate channel. "Sometimes this works well, sometimes it doesn't," Ryabkov said.

"This is a delicate topic, we are discussing the fate of individuals."

Ryabkov stated that the main task was to free people who were convicted in the United States of violating articles of law that were "essentially punitive".

Although he did not mention any of the prisoners under consideration, the article in Izvestia included a photo of Bout behind bars.

Ryabkov stated that some of the prisoners being discussed had been "quite simply kidnapped and treated in a most barbaric manner in third countries." They must be returned home, and we are working on this.

In 2012, Bout was sentenced by a US Court to 25 years imprisonment on a number of charges. He had been detained in Thailand and then extradited to America. Russian officials claim that he is innocent.

Griner was transferred to a penal colony south of Moscow last month to complete a nine-year drug sentence. She had been arrested in February for using vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil. Griner claims she did not intend to commit a crime.

Whelan is a former US Marine and is currently serving 16 years in that same region on charges of espionage. He denies these charges.

Ryabkov made no predictions about the success of the talks.

Izvestia quotes: "We aren't going to beg on this and are not asking for any favours."

The US charge d’affaires in Moscow Elizabeth Rood said last month to Russia's state-owned RIA news agency that Russia has "not provided a seriously respone" for US requests.

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