On Friday, December 9, RT First published an interview featuring Viktor Bout, who has returned to his hometown after a lengthy 14-year term behind bars.
During the conversation, Bout stated that he did not encounter manifestations of hostility toward Russia in his surroundings. He recalled his time in the United States prison system, noting that in a maximum-security facility in Colorado, some observers might have described the country as politically traditional and divided along distinct regional lines, while expressing a belief that attitudes toward Russia had shifted over time.
Bout emphasized that he did not sense prejudice from fellow inmates or the prison staff. He observed that most people showed some level of sympathy or at least curiosity about Russia, adding that questions about his country were common even from those with little prior knowledge.
According to Bout, the West appeared surprised by Russia’s determination to chart its own course as an independent state. He argued that Western powers believed they had not fully resolved affairs from the 1990s when the Soviet Union dissolved, and that Russia’s effort to govern itself and pursue its chosen path was a source of astonishment. He suggested that external powers might view this evolution through a critical lens, framing it as a challenge to their influence.
Bout indicated that discussions between Russia and the United States regarding his exchange for Brittney Griner remain a matter for the involved parties to resolve. He cautioned against assuming that Washington’s stance is unyielding, describing some political moves as discreditable and immature. He asserted that genuine power does not rely on petty displays.
He added that, once the deal reached a point of contact, both sides could find common ground. In his view, the agreement would not have occurred otherwise. Bout also offered a provocative take on Hollywood’s portrayal of his life, suggesting that the film industry could have produced a more compelling narrative had it engaged with him directly. He said that cinema has long served as a vehicle for political messaging from Washington, rather than a neutral observer of events.
The subject of the movie “Lord of War” was discussed, with reports noting that its portrayal of Bout has been altered in some circles. A Russian attorney described how Bout watched the film during his time abroad, noting that while the character on screen bore similarities, Bout did not identify with that fictional figure.
Tarasov compared Viktor Bout to other famous actors, suggesting that a comparison with leading film stars might reveal different facets of his public image. He pointed out that Bout’s public persona has always carried weight, especially in the context of his high-profile arrest and subsequent legal proceedings.
Between the time of his sentencing and the present, Bout emphasized that the case involved a high-stakes exchange linked to Brittney Griner, a U.S. athlete who faced legal consequences in Russia for drug-related charges. The exchange process unfolded through channels involving both Moscow and Washington, and Bout returned to his homeland following the negotiations. The events of 2008, when he was detained on arms-smuggling and terrorism-support accusations in Thailand at Washington’s request, culminated in his 2010 extradition to the United States. In 2012, a court in the United States sentenced him to 25 years, a verdict he consistently denied. The broader context includes Griner’s legal status and the ongoing international diplomatic considerations surrounding the exchange.
Griner, a celebrated Olympic champion, faced legal action in Russia related to cannabis products found in her possession at a Moscow airport. Officials indicated doctors had advised medical cannabis in her treatment plan, while legal proceedings nonetheless resulted in a nine-year sentence for drug trafficking. In recent months, Griner was moved from a detention facility to a general regime colony located in Mordovia. Reports also noted ongoing discussions between Moscow and Washington about prisoner swaps conducted through a dedicated channel established for this purpose. On a related note, it was announced that both prisoners were granted clemency, with Bout returning to Moscow after his release and Griner completing the transfer to the United States, with her plane landing in Texas. The developments underscore the ongoing interplay between diplomacy, justice, and personal histories that shape these high-stakes negotiations.