Moscow hints at a prisoner exchange deal with Washington

A Russian diplomat hinted yesterday (Saturday) that Moscow and Washington are discussing a prisoner exchange, which is expected to lead to the release of American basketball star Britney Greiner and former American soldier Paul Whelan, in exchange for Russian arms dealer Victor Bout, nicknamed “The Merchant of Death.”

“Quiet diplomacy is continuing, and it must bear fruit if, of course, Washington is keen to avoid being drawn into propaganda,” Alexander Darchev, director of the North American division of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told TASS.

In another context, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned of a dangerous international imbalance. “We are on the brink of war with Russia and China over issues that we are partly responsible for arising, without any idea how to end them,” he said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Kissinger had sparked widespread controversy a few months ago for his proposal to cede Ukrainian lands to Russia. “I was in favor of full independence for Ukraine, but I thought it would be better if it played a role similar to Finland,” he said. However, after the way Russia behaved in Ukraine, the former US diplomat believes that “Ukraine should be treated in the aftermath of (the war) as a member of NATO, whether it is official or not.”

As for the Taiwan issue, Kissinger fears that the United States and China are maneuvering toward a crisis, and advises Washington to stay firm.
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