“He is very counting, very much looking forward to Moscow’s decision on this matter,” Antonov was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.

According to him, he assured Bout that the embassy would do everything to get him home as soon as possible.

Earlier, National Security Adviser to the US President Jake Sullivan announced the readiness of the United States to make “difficult decisions” in a dialogue with Russia about prisoners.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced his readiness to discuss the exchange of prisoners with the United States, but only through a special channel approved by the presidents of states.