The message of the Foreign Ministry leads TASS.
It is noted that Moscow has been negotiating with Washington for the release of Bout for a long time.
“Washington categorically refused to engage in dialogue on the inclusion of a Russian in the exchange scheme,” the ministry said.
The report says that, despite this, Russia continued to actively work to rescue Bout from American custody.
On December 8, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the exchange of American Brittney Griner for Russian Viktor Bout.