By RYAN VENEGAS

The United States and Russia made a prisoner exchange on Dec. 8. 

Brittney Griner is a professional basketball player who was captured by Russian forces in Russia. Victor Bout is an arms dealer  captured by U.S. forces.

The U.S tried to include Paul Whelan in the trade but couldn’t do so. Paul Whellan is a former veteran who was captured by the Russians. 

“Everything is possible,”Putin said when communicating with American officials. 

He is talking about possibly trading someone else we have for Paull Whellan. The Russians really want Vadim Krasikov.

When he heard the news that he would not be included in the prisoner exchange, Whellan told CNN that he is “greatly disappointed…I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.”

Paul Whellan has been captured and held in Russia for four years. While Griner hasn’t been there for less than one year.

The prisoner exchange has given people mixed feelings towards the decision government officials made. Some are happy that the U.S. got back an American from Russia custody. Others are upset that we gave away an arms dealer nicknamed “The Merchant of Death.”

Many people are happy to see Brittney Griner return to her home. MAny people also are upset and think the U.S. got the worst part of the deal.