Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, left, and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Sergei Kiselev, Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
CNN: Exclusive: Biden administration hunts for high-value Russians for potential prisoner swap
Washington CNN — The Biden administration is scouring the globe for offers that could entice Russia to release two wrongfully detained Americans, Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The US does not currently have any high-level Russian spies in its custody, current and former US officials say, driving the need to turn to allies for help.
The Biden administration is casting a wide net, approaching allied countries who have Russian spies in custody to gauge whether they would be willing to make a trade as part of a larger prisoner swap package. But US officials have also been surveying allies without Russians in their custody, officials said, for ideas on what might entice Moscow to release US prisoners.
The White House is also exploring narrow sanctions relief, senior administration officials said.
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WNU Editor: This is incredible stuff. If this CNN report is true, one cannot help but get the impression that the White House is losing its mind over Russia.
CNN Says The Biden Administration Is Hunting For High-Value Russians To Pressure Moscow For A Prisoner Swap
US hunting high-value Russians for potential prisoner swap -- First Post
U.S. Explores ‘Narrow’ Sanctions Relief to Free Gershkovich, Whelan From Russia – Reports -- Moscow Times
US hunting for Russians for prisoner swaps – CNN -- RT
US "hunts" for Russians in order to swap them for Americans arrested in Russia -- Ukrayinska Pravda