Delay Is Not Denial – Russia, USA Swap Brittney Griner For Victor Bout, But Who Really Facilitated Her Release?
After being incarcerated for 294 days in a Russian prison, famous American basketball star Brittney Griner was finally released in a single prisoner swap involving her and the convicted notorious Russian arms dealer, Victor Bout, on December 8, 2022.
Sadly, though, the prisoner swap deal did not include former US Marine Paul Whelan as it had been widely touted and expected before. Paul was tried and convicted on espionage charges in Russia and has been imprisoned since December 2018.
Famous American basketball star Brittney Griner was finally released in a single prisoner swap involving her and the convicted notorious Russian arms dealer, Victor Bout, on December 8, 2022.
Speaking at the White House in the company of Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife, US President Joe Biden disclosed that the WNBA star was safe and on a plane home from the United Arab Emirates.
“I’m glad to say Brittney’s in good spirits. She needs time and space to recover. After months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under intolerable circumstances, Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones, and she should have been there all along,” he said.
Concerning Paul, President Biden said: “This was not a choice of which American to bring home. Sadly, for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s. And while we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul’s release, we are not giving up. We will never give up.”
US President Joe Biden disclosed that the WNBA star was safe and on a plane home from the United Arab Emirates.
While Brittney is reportedly expected to land in San Antonio, Texas, Victor has already arrived safely in Moscow, according to the Russian media. The high-profile prisoner swap deal was executed in Abu Dhabi, and there have been some conflicting reports over the extent of the involvement of the Arab nations in the negotiations.
In a joint statement reportedly released by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabian governments, the Gulf countries claim to have played a pivotal part in getting the swap deal over the line.
According to another report, the heir to Saudi’s throne, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is good friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, were highly instrumental in mediating between Moscow and Washington for this deal that has seen Brittney and Victor freed.
Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife, was also at the White House when President Biden made the announcement.
Washington has flatly debuted these reports, though, with the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying: “The only countries that negotiated this deal were the United States and Russia.”
Be that as it may, in all these developments, there are a few vital lessons for everyone to observe and learn from this excellent news for Brittney, her family, friends, well-wishers worldwide, and even neutral observers as well. They include:
(1) God can use anything and anyone to facilitate the miracle, breakthrough, victory, and testimony you earnestly seek and pray for.
And the best part is that it wouldn’t even get to matter who it was anymore by the time your deliverance comes. Today, as things stand, Washington still denies any Arab involvement as mediators between them and Moscow. However, the top-dollar question is: Is Brittney finally home or not, and does she really care how or who got it done right now? We can bet the answer to this is a resounding no!
Stop trying to tell God who to use or how to direct your path; that’s not within your job description or business. Just trust HIM at all times, and that which you long for will surely come eventually.
Sadly, though, the prisoner swap deal did not include former US Marine Paul Whelan as it had been widely touted and expected before.
(2) Delay is indeed not denial!
There was a time during this eventually successful negotiations when it didn’t look like Brittney would be getting out of that Russian prison at all. However, the story and outcome are totally different from those earlier fears, and now we can all see…
Even if what you’re longing and praying for seems stuck and never forthcoming, don’t you ever throw in the towel and quit because your desired answers and requests may seem delayed, but it can never be denied!
The seemingly impossible dream of regaining her freedom sooner than later has now become a reality for Brittney Griner, and her story holds many more lessons for as many as would choose to learn.
According to President Biden, his administration will continue to work tirelessly and will not relent until they secure the release of Paul Whelan, too. We will be bringing you updates regarding this as things unfold.
