The first hours in Russia and the first words spoken upon returning home. Viktor Bout in an exclusive interview “Izvestia” admits that all these years he did not lose hope.
“I believed and had no doubt that it would come. Many thanks to everyone who participated, helped, was interested. I am incredibly happy. I received so many letters. Unfortunately, I could not answer many sometimes, but thanks to everyone who supported me”Booth said.
It was a long and difficult road home after 14+ years in prison. Viktor Bout is calm. Emotions show up when he calls his wife.
“Don’t worry, everything is fine. I love you very much. Don’t worry, everything is fine. I’ll tell you when we meet,” Booth said to his wife.
As a result, almost a day on the plane: States, English Manchester, Abu Dhabi, refueling in Makhachkala. Already late at night in Vnukovo, Viktor Bout gets off the plane with a bouquet of flowers.
Victor returned home without things. They were not returned to him upon release. Footage from Abu Dhabi airport: Booth and American basketball player Greiner, accompanied by diplomats, intersect for a second and fly off in opposite directions.
Biden is billing the long-awaited trade as his personal victory. He calls directly on board Greiner under the cameras, and then goes out to the journalists along with the wife of an American athlete.
“Finally, she is free and calm, she is going home. She lost several months of her life, experienced unnecessary psychological trauma. Now she has every right to live in the circle of loved ones,” Biden said.
But the smile fades when the press pounces on the American president with questions about how he will respond to bipartisan criticism of the exchange. Biden pretends not to hear anything.
The entire US political establishment is angry. A one-on-one exchange is clearly not what the United States was counting on, apparently wanting to include in the deal also former Marine Paul Whelan, who was convicted in Russia for espionage. But instead of an American, they were forced to take back a basketball player who spoke unflatteringly about her homeland.
“The Marine should have been the first to get home. The Marine is the one who put his life on the line for me, you, Britney. He should have been the first on that plane home. What did Brittney do other than spit on the flag, what did she do other than spit on America?” – outraged basketball player Terrence Williams.
Former National Security Adviser to the President of the United States John Bolton called the exchange a serious mistake by America and a peremptory victory for Moscow over Washington.
“I understand the emotions of relatives who are involved in the exchange and are trying to free their loved ones. But what will be the consequences? In the future, this will endanger other Americans who can also be captured and used as a bargaining chip. Potential invaders will understand that the US is ready to bargain” , – Bolton said.
Judging by these statements, Brittney Griner is clearly not drawn to the role of a national hero. It seems that the American basketball player sentenced in Russia to nine years in prison turned out to be just a bargaining chip for American officials who could not even sell her at a higher price.
Victor Bout at first did not know where he was flying. At least until the arrival in the Emirates.
“In the middle of the night, they just got up and said: “Get ready.” There was no special preliminary connection,” Booth said.
However, all these long years, Russian consuls have been in touch with Viktor Bout, who have been in endless negotiations with the American side, trying to achieve the release of the Russian. The US still made a deal. Greiner’s personal significance to the American people is completely irrelevant. It’s all about the public statement of Biden, who promised to return the athlete to her homeland, without thinking about the consequences of such a dubious PR move.