Krasikov is serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 murder of a Chechen fighter in a Berlin park, a murder that German officials say was ordered by Russian intelligence services.
Some US diplomats believe the demand for Kursikov’s release struck a chord with President Vladimir Putin, who was wary of giving a political boost to President Joe Biden at a time of fierce hostilities over Ukraine, The New York Times reported.
Roger Carstens, the special US presidential envoy for hostage affairs, told CNN that he spoke to Whelan on Friday, a day after the Griner-Bout swap, and Whelan expressed his “disappointment”.
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