Probably already been asked but why is Russia so interested in trading someone who broke their laws, ostensibly someone they want to make an example out of, for an Arms dealer? I.E., an international criminal?
I think I would have asked that question of Russia before I agreed to this.
Like her or not, BG IS an American citizen. She probably was overcharged and doesn't deserve to be doing 9 years. Whether she got herself in that mess or not, I understand the US govt.'s position in wanting to get her (and the other guy, especially) out. What I don't understand is Russia's interest in an arms dealer regardless of what nationality he is. I wouldn't want the US to be too worried about a US born arms dealer or child trafficker, regardless of where he was or what the conditions he was facing.