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Reuters

Business

By Guy Faulconbridge and Caleb Davis

Russia warms to U.S. prisoner swap for weapons trader Bout

Viktor Bout Russia Sergei Ryabkov Maxim Shemetov United States

FILE PHOTO: Alleged arms smuggler Viktor Bout from Russia is escorted by a member of the special police unit as he arrives at a criminal court in Bangkok October 4, 2010. Thailand's criminal court held a hearing today on a second case lodged against Bout. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/File Photo/File Photo

Russia said on Friday it hoped to clinch a prisoner swap with the United States to return convicted Russian weapons trafficker Viktor Bout, known as the "Merchant of Death", in an exchange that would likely include U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner.

Amid the deadliest war in Europe since World War Two, Russia and the United States are exploring a deal that could see imprisoned Americans including Griner return to the United States in exchange for Bout.

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