The USA and Russia Discuss a Possible Prisoner Exchange, Which Could Include the Release of "Wall Street Journal" Journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been Imprisoned in Russia for Over a Year. This was announced by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The dialogue is being conducted through a specialized and confidential channel, about the contents of which Ryabkov was not allowed to comment.
Ryabkov's statement was in response to inquiries about reports that the USA is preparing a new offer for the exchange of Gershkovich and the American citizen Paul Whelan, a former Marine and corporate security director serving a 16-year sentence for espionage. The allegations against both men are vehemently denied by them, the Wall Street Journal, and the US government.
Roger Carstens, the leading US diplomat for hostage affairs, stated last week that the Biden Administration is preparing a new proposal to Moscow to secure the release of Gershkovich and Whelan. Recent remarks from Moscow suggest that serious negotiations for the release of the two Americans are underway.
Gershkovich was arrested on March 29, 2023, by Russia's Federal Security Service in Yekaterinburg. The Russian government has not publicly presented any evidence for the accusations made against the reporter. In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated openness to a prisoner exchange if an agreement with Washington is reached but did not mention any details regarding possible Russian demands.
In March, Putin again commented on the subject of prisoner exchange and mentioned the possibility of an exchange of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, days before he died in a penal colony in the Arctic.
The White House also demands the release of journalist Alsu Kurmasheva from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, who was detained in October and later charged with failing to register as a foreign agent and disseminating false information about the Russian military. The USA is closely monitoring her detention but has not yet made a decision on whether she is being wrongfully detained.
A Russian court last month extended Gershkovich's detention by three months, until June 30. In Russia, investigators can have up to a year to prepare for particularly complex criminal proceedings, with the possibility of further extensions under extraordinary circumstances. A conviction for espionage can result in a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. Acquittals in such cases are rare.
