Russian government officials requested that a former colonel from the country’s domestic spy agency who was convicted of murder in Germany last year be included in the US’ proposed swap of a notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout for Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, multiple sources familiar with the discussions told CNN. The Russians communicated the request to the US earlier this month through an informal backchannel used by the spy agency, known as the FSB, that they wanted Vadim Krasikov released, the sources said.

All that money the U.S. is supplyimg Ukraine with to help its war with Russia and you’d be a fool to think Putin is gonna negotiate in ‘good faith’ to bring back Whelan and Griner.

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