Russia Wanted Spy Held in Germany for Paul Whelan

“Russia refused to release Paul Whelan alongside Brittney Griner unless a former colonel from Russia’s domestic spy organization currently in German custody was also released as part of any prisoner swap, even as the US offered up the names of several other Russian prisoners in US custody that they would be willing to trade,” CNN reports.

“The US was unable to deliver on the request for the ex-colonel, Vadim Krasikov, because he is serving out a life sentence for murder in Germany.”