President Putin Calls Exchange Other Prisoners To The United States Maybe Managed

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that further exchanges of prisoners between the United States and Russia were possible, while contacts between intelligence services between the two countries would continue.

President Putin spoke at a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a day after the United States released Russian arms trader Viktor Bout in exchange for US basketball player Brittney Griner, in the exchange of the most famous detainees between the two countries for years.

President Putin was asked if other exchanges were possible.

"Yes, everything is possible," he replied, launching Reuters December 9. "It doesn't continue. In fact, they never stop. A compromise was found, we don't refuse to continue this work in the future," he explained.

Russia continues to detain Paul Whelan, a veteran of the US Marine Corps who was convicted of espionage in 2020 in a trial that US diplomats say is unfair and opaque.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday, Russia and the United States would continue to discuss the possibility of direct exchange of prisoners, without intermediaries, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Ryabkov also said, according to Interfax news agency, Russia would "communicate with all partners who show interest in this", including Bill Richardson, the former governor of the US state of New Mexico.

Richardson has traveled to Moscow in a personal capacity in a bid to win the release of American basketball player Brittney Griner.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden said Washington remains committed to securing the return of former marine Paul Whelan, whose release Richardson has also lobbied in Moscow.

Yesterday, Russian news agency Interfax reported that talks between Washington and Moscow about Whelan's continued release, citing lawyer Whelan.