Side issue.. Your kid gets kidnapped by terrorists, doesn't matter what country. You ain't allowed

[3Hotdogs]

to negotiate or pay ransom.


BUT

The U.S. government negotiates a deal for Britany.


How is that different?

[Srkdqltr]

1. What are you implying?

[Tetrachloride]

2. In "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban",

“more than 1 life” may be saved.

[Walleye]

3. Because a private citizen would not have a prisoner from Russia to offer in trade.

[fishwax]

4. it's different because it's the state negotiating with another state

How is it remotely the same?

[hardluck]

5. who says a private party cannot negotiate with terrorists?

There's a whole line of insurance providing kidnap, ransom and extortion insurance for those situations.

https://www.aig.com/business/insurance/management-liability/kidnap-ransom-and-extortion

Plus, as others have mentioned, this is state level negotiations (no matter what you think of Russia).

[maxrandb]

6. "The Search for Spock"

"Because the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Russia was following its laws when it imprisoned Griner, even if they went for a huge punishment

for a small amount, and were generally agreed to be doing it to get leverage (and they didn't make up evidence in her case). That is different from criminals and terrorists kidnapping.

[WarGamer]

8. Illegal drugs brought into SE Asia will land you in prison for a LOOOOONG time.

Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong...

[obamanut2012]

11. How do you know they didn't make up evidence

You don't.

[muriel_volestrangler]

15. She admitted she had the vape cartridge (nt)

[republianmushroom]

9. Politics

and what will get the votes.

[obamanut2012]

10. Wut

[LakeArenal]

12. I'm pretty sure private citizens can pay ransoms.

I think Columbia has that as a problem.

[keithbvadu2]

13. Reagan was a private citizen when he negotiated with Iran for the release of the American prisoners.

Reagan was a private citizen when he negotiated with Iran for the release of the American prisoners... after the election.

[ripcord]

14. You need to check your facts

There is an executive order saying the federal government won't negotiate with terrorists, any president can issue another executive order countering that. No matter what many of us may think the Russian government rightly isn't classified as a terrorist organization but as a nation state, if they weren't we couldn't have diplomatic relations with them. Any private citizen can negotiate with anyone holding someone they have an interest in, the government doesn't like it and will strongly counsel you against it but there is nothing they can do to stop you.