Prisoner swap for Brittney Griner still possible, Russian diplomat says

A senior Russian diplomat says that Russia and the United States have repeatedly come close to reaching agreement on a prisoner exchange involving Brittney Griner and a deal remains possible before the year’s end. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

MOSCOW — Russia and the United States have repeatedly been on the verge of agreement on a prisoner exchange, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday, adding that a deal is still possible before the year’s end.

The Biden administration has been trying for months to negotiate the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American jailed in Russia, Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan, including through a possible prisoner swap with Moscow.