US Judge Who Sentenced Bout Reportedly Says It Would Make Sense to Swap Him for Whelan

WASHINGTON, (Sputnik) - The US judge who sentenced Russian national Victor Bout to 25 years in prison said it would make sense to exchange him for someone like American Paul Whelan, CNN reported.

The judge, who sentenced Bout in 2012, has intervened in the matter, pointing out that the Russian national has been in prison for a long time already and hence it would make sense to exchange him, the report said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with NBC, said he was ready to consider an exchange of prisoners with the United States.