Smart Take: Brittney Griner Released in Exchange for Viktor Bout

Kennan Institute Director William Pomeranz says the prisoner swap is a “narrow exchange” and does not signal any wider change in US-Russian relations. The Biden administration also tried to secure the release of former US Marine Paul Whelan, but the Russians would not include him in the exchange.  

Kennan Institute

The Kennan Institute is the premier US center for advanced research on Eurasia and the oldest and largest regional program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Kennan Institute is committed to improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the surrounding region through research and exchange.   Read more

Kennan Institute