Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. (Photo: IRNA/VNA)

Speaking specifically of businessman Viktor Bout, who is serving a 25-year prison term in the US for arms trafficking, Zakharova said Russia is ready to discuss specific steps for the prisoner exchange.

Washington proposed the swap of Bout for US national Brittney Griner, convicted in Russia for drug trafficking and possession, and Paul Whelan, convicted on espionage charges.

A possible prisoner exchange was among the topics of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with his US counterpart Antony Blinken in July.

The Russian side said after their telephone talks that Lavrov suggested that low-key diplomacy would be more appropriate on this matter.