Following Viktor Bout’s release, hosts of “The View” shared their concerns. Joy Behar wondered why Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, was so eager to have Bout freed. “The question I was thinking was, ‘Why would Putin do that?’ First of all, the guy they traded her for, he was really a bad guy. But he’s very much in cahoots with Putin. The guy was in prison here for many years and said nothing, so that also tells the Russians the motherland is safe from snitches and big mouths.”
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin thought Griner’s freedom should be celebrated. However, she said, “It’s not an equal swap.” Griffin continued, “He’s called the ‘Merchant of Death’ because he’s basically been somebody who goes around the world and collects weaponry and brings it back to Russia.” She went on to say that she believes Bout will be an asset in Russia’s war against Ukraine. “I fear this is somebody who is going to someday have the blood of Ukrainians and Americans on his hand.”
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Sara Haines chimed in, “When Joy said the part about ‘Why would Putin do this?’ I think it tells you more about why they retained her … and people not just athletes have to be aware that they don’t need much of a reason.” She added that Griner’s arrest “immediately gave them a pawn to trade.” Amid concern about what Bout’s freedom could mean, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby assured the public (via Politico), “We’re going to make sure that we can defend this country against any and all threats.”
