The Kremlin hinted that Tuesday’s prisoner-swap talks could be possible with the United States, offering a sliver of hope to an American journalist and former Marine detained in Russia.
After the inauguration of U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynn Tracy, allowed to visit When Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovic was detained in prison, questions about his possible release were submitted to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said he could negotiate a prisoner exchange. suggested sex.
“I said that there was some contact on this matter, but I don’t want it to be discussed publicly,” Peskov said, according to the newspaper. NPR.
“They must be carried out and continued in complete silence.”
Putin’s top spokesman said there had been liaisons between the United States and Russia about a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovic. https://t.co/g7a7gKjyHH
— CBS Morning (@CBSMornings) July 4, 2023
Gerszkovic, 31, was arrested in Yekaterinburg in March on suspicion of spying. Russian officials claimed he was arrested “red flag” for spying “for the benefit of the U.S. government” while covering the Ukraine war. Shortly before his arrest, Mr. Gershkovic had contributed to a Wall Street Journal article about the Wagner Group, a Russian militia that recently rebelled against the Russian government.
The Wall Street Journal “fiercely” denied the charges against Gershokovic and called for his immediate release. (Related article: ‘Unacceptable’: White House accuses Russia of detaining US journalists, warns against travel ban)
The U.S. is also seeking the release of former Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018 on espionage charges and sentenced to 16 years in prison. In the recent high-profile prisoner exchange between the two countries, Whelan was allegedly handed over to WNBA player Britney Griner, “devastating” his family. But White House official John Kirby has said the Russians weren’t willing to negotiate Mr Whelan’s release.
“The only deal the Russian side offered positively was Britney Greiner for the Viktor fight. We tried changes, options, all kinds of initiatives and suggestions, but it just wasn’t possible,” Kirby said. time.
