Kremlin says Griner swap must be discussed without publicity

[groundloop]

Source: ABC News

The Kremlin said Friday that it's open to talking about a possible prisoner exchange involving American basketball star Brittney Griner but strongly warned Washington against publicizing the issue.

[snip]

In an extraordinary move, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke last week to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, urging him to accept a deal under which Griner and Paul Whelan, an American jailed in Russia on espionage charges, would go free.

Lavrov said Moscow was “ready to discuss” a prisoner swap but that the topic should only be discussed via a dedicated Russia-U.S. channel that U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to establish when they met in Geneva in June 2021.

“If the Americans again try to engage in public diplomacy and make loud statements about their intention to take certain steps, it’s their business, I would even say their problem,” Lavrov said. “The Americans often have trouble observing agreements on calm and professional work.”

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/kremlin-griner-swap-discussed-publicity-87989833

[MerryHolidays]

1. Lavrov, you are a buffoon

“If the Americans again try to engage in public diplomacy and make loud statements about their intention to take certain steps, it’s their business, I would even say their problem,” Lavrov said. “The Americans often have trouble observing agreements on calm and professional work.”

[Marthe48]

2. Hoping Ms. Griner and Mr. Whelan are freed

I don't guess all of us American citizens used to free speech will be quiet about the unfair arrest and conviction of Ms. Griner.

I don't remember Mr. Whelen's story, but I hope he, too, is freed.

[OnlinePoker]

5. Whelan was jailed for spying

From his Wiki, he doesn't seem like an upright citizen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Whelan_(security_director)

[Marthe48]

6. I knew he was charged with spying

but I haven't read the details.I took a quick look at the link, and will read more later. more later.

[lanlady]

12. Whelan's not worth the trouble

He's a ne'er-do-well who went to Moscow because his Marine Corps buddy was marrying a Russian mail-order bride. Whelan was also bride-shopping and was just too stupid to keep himself out of trouble.

I don't get why he's our problem. He was born in Canada and has a Canadian passport in addition to a US passport. Let the Canadians deal with him.

[Kid Berwyn]

3. Lavrov got his man.

Official TASS Photo

[mitch96]

4. The russians want to control the narrative. I think b/c it would embarrass putin if it got out

what they want.. My guess it has something to do with their economy (follow the money) or arms to Ukraine..YMMV
m

[maxsolomon]

7. He sounds like McConnell

Must have really gotten their goat to lose control of the narrative.

[elleng]

8. I HATE those f'ers!

[Martin68]

9. So the Kremlin doesn't want the embarrassment of trading their hostage, and American basketball

star, for a murderous criminal in the illegal arms trade to be displayed for the all the world to see. Frankly, I think if we can free 2 or 3 hostages, it is worth the trade. Griner's life alone is worth it. But I hope there will be consequences for Dr. Death if he is released.

[Turbineguy]

10. Russia needs all the arms dealers and murderers they can get.

[LiberalLovinLug]

11. Uh....the USA has something called a free press. How does Russia intend to stop that?

Even worst for Russia, its a capitalist press. Each network will be dog piling to sensationalize the story...like they do every story....to get viewers, aka, MONEY.

I don't know if Putin is that stupid, or if its just a ploy so that they can then have another gripe to complain about against Biden, when the exchange happens and the story explodes.

[SWBTATTReg]

13. Scared of what the Russian rats will do in the light of day, in the harsh glare of publicity?

What are they afraid of, the propaganda of reality, of what is truth revealed in the full light of day?

[Buckeyeblue]

14. My concern is that all the support Griner gets only helps Putin

Putin knows that getting Brittney back to the US is a big deal. She is an Olympic gold medalist. She is very popular. And I think she was intentionally targeted. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole cannabis thing a plant. But celebrities who get attention supporting her only drive up the stakes to get her back.

One other note: Brittany should have been advised to stay out of Russia. I would like to know if she was paying attention to the world news. So part of me is frustrated that she has put herself and the country in this position.

Also, the Senate voting overwhelmingly to add Sweden and Finland to NATO probably doesn't help, either.

I'm fine with the prisoner swap. But anything more than that, she might have to just stay there. Some things are bigger than just one person.

[qwlauren35]

15. I was actually alarmed by the publicity.

I was afraid that it could hurt the process, and apparently I was right.