Grigory Karasin, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, said that the exchange of American Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan should be handled through diplomatic channels between Russia and the USA. It has been reported “Lenta.ru”.
According to him, this is a very sensitive issue that needs to be discussed through diplomatic and other channels, and he also does not tolerate any publicity.
He expressed the hope that these channels will be used and will bear fruit in the future.
old edition of The Wall Street Journal reportedThat the United States is ready for “creative” solutions to reach an agreement with Russia on the release of American Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.
Paul Whelan was detained in Moscow in December 2018. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for espionage and sent to a colony in Mordovia to serve his sentence. Whelan pleaded not guilty. On April 1, 2023, it was learned that Whelan was transferred to the hospital in the colony.
Gershkovich was detained in Yekaterinburg on March 30, 2023. The FSB of the Russian Federation said that it collects classified information in the interests of the American government.