Key takeaways:
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there has been contact between the U.S. and Russia regarding a possible prisoner swap involving Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
- The U.S. is seeking the release of Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, both of whom are considered “wrongfully detained.”
- Peskov said that any discussions about a prisoner swap must be kept in complete silence and it is unclear if the two countries have made any progress in their negotiations.
On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there has been contact between the U.S. and Russia regarding a possible prisoner swap that could involve Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Gershkovich, a 31-year-old U.S. citizen, was detained while on a reporting trip in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on March 29 on a charge of espionage.
The Journal and U.S. officials have flatly rejected those claims, saying the reporter has been wrongfully detained. Peskov’s comments came in response to a question about whether dialogue between Moscow and Washington was underway regarding a possible prisoner swap.
The same day, the U.S. ambassador to Russia met with Gershkovich in Moscow. The visit comes shortly after a Moscow court ruled last month that Gershkovich must remain in jail on the charge.
The U.S. is seeking the release of the American journalist and Paul Whelan, both of whom are considered “wrongfully detained.” The U.S. State Department has called for their immediate release and has urged Russia to ensure their safety and well-being.
Peskov said that any discussions about a prisoner swap must be kept in complete silence. It is unclear if the two countries have made any progress in their negotiations.
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