WASHINGTON, Dec 8 The US could not conclude an agreement with Russia on the exchange of American Paul Whelan on the same terms that were reached for the return of basketball player Brittney Griner, said John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the White House National Security Council. accusations against him (Whelan) based on espionage. We couldn't deal with him the same way we were able to deal with (Trevor) Reid and (Brittney) Griner,» he said.
According to Kirby, this does not mean the US will stop trying to bring Whelan home.