State Dept. Spox: Russia Gets a Veto and 'Vetoed' Proposals to Secure Whelan Release, Only Agreed to Griner Swap 'in Recent Days'

On Thursday's broadcast of CNN's "Situation Room," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price stated that the Biden administration proposed that Russia release both Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner and wished Whelan had been released along with Griner, but "the other side gets a vote. In this case, the other side, the Russians, they get a veto. They vetoed the proposals that we put on the table to secure Paul Whelan's release today." And the Russians "Just in recent days" agreed to the swap for Griner's release.