U.S. actively engaged with Russia over possible prisoner swap to release Griner, Whelan - Blinken

WASHINGTON. Dec 5 (Interfax) - The United States is "actively engaged" with Russia over a possible prisoner swap to free Americans Brittney Griner, convicted in Russia of drug contraband, and Paul Whelan, convicted in Russia of spying, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"We are not resting on the laurels of having put forward a proposal some months ago. We've been actively engaged over these many months to try to move things forward," Blinken told CBS.

"We're engaged in that on a regular basis. And it's my determination that we bring our people home. We will not stop until we do," he said.

U.S. officials have repeatedly declared their intention to secure Griner's release from custody and return home. U.S. President Joe Biden sent her a letter of support. Western media outlets said that a swap of Griner and Whelan for Russian citizen Viktor Bout, incarcerated in the United States, was being discussed.