Diplomatic Standoff: Gershkovich Case and Possible Retaliation
The White House has not ordered the expulsion of Russian diplomats accredited in the United States in response to the espionage arrest of The Wall Street Journal’s American correspondent Evan Gershkovich.
A White House spokesperson said, “This is not our plan right now,” when asked about any retaliatory measures by President Joe Biden. Officials also urged Moscow to secure Gershkovich’s release.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that Moscow’s ambassador to Washington and all Russian media representatives in the United States could face expulsion as part of a broader diplomatic response.
The newspaper noted that the Biden administration will weigh the diplomatic and political consequences of any escalation. Expelling the Russian ambassador to the United States and all Russian journalists working there would be the minimum one might expect, the Journal stated on its site.
American journalists emphasized that protecting citizens remains the top duty of the U.S. government. They noted that several governments worldwide already feel free to arrest and jail Americans with little consequence. The Journal argued Gershkovich’s detention signals a weakening of deterrence against actions targeting U.S. citizens, while acknowledging the White House’s condemnation of the arrest in the same report.
Earlier, when the detention surfaced on suspicions of espionage, a deputy spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State explained that retaliatory steps were not immediate. Officials said they would gather facts and ensure consular access for Gershkovich as part of standard procedures.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has requested formal notice of the arrest, a requirement under the bilateral consular agreement, the spokesperson noted.
The timeline for replies or actions might extend several days due to Russia’s administrative procedures and security requirements.
Detention and Arrest Details
On March 30, it was reported that FSB officers detained Gershkovich in Yekaterinburg, where he served as a Wall Street Journal correspondent in the Moscow bureau. Officials said he gathered classified information related to a Russian defense facility, and that the intelligence service believes the material was obtained on orders from the United States. Gershkovich faces espionage charges under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code and could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
That same day, the Lefortovo Court in Moscow ordered his pretrial detention for two months. The case is being overseen by the FSB’s central department.
Early that morning, a local PR official and a Telegram channel author reported Gershkovich’s disappearance, noting his interest in local sentiment toward the Wagner PMC and its founder. They mentioned meetings with a district parliament deputy, a local worker, and the editor-in-chief of a city media outlet.
One source indicated that defenders would be dispatched and cooperation would proceed on diplomatic lines. Reports suggested Gershkovich had also visited Nizhny Tagil, home to a major defense facility, with discussions about potential risks involved in pursuing such material.
Official Statements from Moscow
President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson described Gershkovich as having been caught red-handed, while stressing that details are for the FSB to disclose. The statement emphasized that the investigation remains a closed matter handled by the security service.
Maria Zakharova, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, asserted that Gershkovich’s work in Yekaterinburg has nothing to do with journalism. She warned that foreigners sometimes use journalistic credentials to mask non-journalistic activity and noted this is not an isolated incident involving a prominent Westerner in custody.
Regarding expulsions of Russian media personnel from the United States, the Kremlin dismissed the idea as unnecessary and misguided. It was pointed out that since the incident is described as espionage, broad expulsions would not be warranted. It was also noted that other foreign journalists with valid accreditation can continue working in Russia without restriction, while reiterating that the case centers on alleged espionage rather than routine reporting.
Meanwhile, the U.S. administration has urged American citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Russia in light of Gershkovich’s detention. White House officials referenced prior cases involving detained Americans, highlighting the ongoing risks and the potential for diplomatic exchanges.