Bill Richardson visits Moscow as Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan remain jailed

Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
3
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

WASHINGTON — Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and a frequent emissary in hostage negotiations who has worked to secure the releases of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, visited Moscow this week and held meetings with Russian leaders, a person familiar with the matter said Tuesday night.

The visit came as American officials have continued to press Russia to release Griner, who was sentenced last month to nine years in prison in a drug possession case, and Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive serving a 16-year sentence on espionage-related charges. The U.S. government regards both as wrongfully detained.

Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine accused of spying in Moscow at the end of 2018, stands in a cage while waiting for a detention hearing in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019.
Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine accused of spying in Moscow at the end of 2018, stands in a cage while waiting for a detention hearing in a courtroom in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in July that the U.S. had made a “substantial proposal” to Russia to facilitate a swap. Though he did not detail the terms, a person familiar the matter said the U.S. had offered to release convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

More:Kremlin: Whelan, Griner swap must be discussed without publicity

More:Mitch Albom: The one unfortunate group that Brittney Griner belongs to now

More:Paul Whelan's brother fears he'll be left behind again in prisoner swap with Russia

In in interview with The Associated Press last month, Richardson said he was hopeful about the chances of a two-for-two prisoner swap. In cases like this, Richardson said at the time, “it’s proportional — two-for two.”

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing, in Khimki just outside Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

The person who confirmed Richardson's visit insisted on anonymity to discuss private negotiations. The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which Richardson founded, issued a statement declining to comment on his visit. The nature of the dialogue and any outcome were not immediately clear.

CNN was first to report Richardson's visit.

Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at ollow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bill Richardson visits Moscow as Griner, Whelan remain jailed