Moscow wanted to release a Russian detained in Germany as part of a prisoner exchange with Washington

Moscow wanted to release a Russian man arrested in Germany for killing a Chechen rival as part of talks with Washington that led to the release of American Brittney Greener, a House of Representatives spokesman said on Sunday (December 11). Blanche, John Kirby.

“They apparently wanted a man named Vadim Krasikov, who is being held in Germany“, he said in an interview with ABC. “He’s a killer“And the offer was not considered”seriously“, he continued. This man is not being detained on American soil.”how could we get involved?added John Kirby.

Vadim Krasikov was sentenced to life in prison last year for the murder of a Chechen opponent in a Berlin park, which, according to German justice, was sponsored by Moscow. Russia has placed a condition on Vadim Krasikov’s release for another American detained in Russia for four years, ex-serviceman Paul Whelan, US officials told CNN this week on condition of anonymity.

“Continuous and open dialogue with the Russians”.

American basketball star Brittney Griner, imprisoned in Russia for months, was finally exchanged Thursday for Russian arms dealer Victor Butt, who has been in custody in the United States for 10 years. But Paul Whelan remained behind bars, drawing criticism from US authorities. He said himself.very disappointed“. Moscow somehow approached his causecompletely separate“because of”he was charged with false espionagereplied John Kirby.

American negotiators understoodlast week“that was”no chanceAt the same time as Brittney Greener to achieve Paul Whelan’s release, he continued, assuring that the US continues its efforts. “We have a continuous and open dialogue with the Russians“Roger Carstens, the US envoy for the hostage release, added to CNN on Sunday. He said he spoke with Paul Whelan on Friday, promising him that the Biden administration “would take home“.

“12 Hour Talk”

Roger Carstens, who attended the United Arab Emirates exchange between Britney Greener and Vitkor Baut, recounted his first moments of freedom on the plane that brought him home. Thinking that a basketball player should “relaxhe had offered to leave her alone. “And he said: “Oh no, I’m in jail for ten months speaking Russian. I want to talk.“””Then, on an 18-hour flight, he probably spent 12 hours talking“, he said.

In the exchange pictures, Brittney Griner was seen with cropped hair, without her usual long dreadlocks. A cut he chose for practical reasons, as the cold was too hard to bear while washing them, according to one of his lawyers.