The United States and Russia conducted a high-profile prisoner exchange on December 8, 2022, resulting in the release of American basketball star Brittney Griner. Griner was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a swap facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA player, had been detained in Russia since February 2022 on charges of drug possession. Her arrest and subsequent conviction had drawn significant international attention and calls for her release.
“Today, we’re finally bringing home Brittney Griner,” said President Joe Biden in an official statement. “She is safe, she is on a plane, she is on her way home.”
Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death,” had been serving a 25-year sentence in the United States for arms trafficking. His release has been a significant point of negotiation between the two countries amidst strained relations.
The prisoner swap marks one of the most significant diplomatic achievements between the U.S. and Russia in recent years. However, other Americans, including ex-Marine Paul Whelan, remain detained in Russia. The U.S. government has pledged to continue efforts to secure their release.
The exchange was mediated through diplomatic channels, with the United Arab Emirates playing a key role in facilitating the negotiations.
