The US administration continues its internal discussions on how to secure the release of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is suspected of spying in Russia. In this respect declaration John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the White House National Security Council.
He was asked whether the US administration had held internal discussions on how to release an American reporter of the Wall Street Journal imprisoned in Russia.
“Within the administration, of course, we’re discussing everything we can do to get him released,” Kirby said.
At the same time, he stressed that Washington is not currently ready to talk about contacts with Moscow regarding the release of Gershkovich.
“Recognizing him as ‘illegally held’ does not initiate the communication process with the Russian Federation regarding his release,” Kirby said.
Former press secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov spoke On the granting of “illegally held” status to Gershkovich. A Kremlin spokesman announced that Gershkovich was caught “red-handed” and “violated the relevant law of the Russian Federation”.
Before that, Senator of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin judicial The sensitive issue of the possibility of a deal to trade Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.