The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, asserted that the designation of Evan Gershkovich as an unlawfully detained journalist by US authorities did not influence the process of granting consular access. She framed the status as a factual label used by the American side and emphasized that it should not determine how Russian diplomats interact with the detainee’s family or representatives. This stance highlights a distinction between political labeling and the practical duties of consular support.
Zakharova explained that timely notice to the American embassy in Moscow about Gershkovich’s detention did occur, yet Russian officials observed that consular notifications in comparable cases have sometimes arrived later or not at all. She pointed to how consular agreements between Russia and the United States are supposed to function, especially in high-profile cases that fall under the oversight of the US Department of Justice and the FBI. The implication is that delays or gaps in communication can strain bilateral understandings even when the formal rights of consular access are acknowledged.
In the same brief, the spokesperson characterized calls from US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urging Americans to leave Russia as hypocritical and vague. The critique rests on the view that Washington has initiated aggressive rhetoric about the fate of citizens and residents of both countries living abroad, which, in her assessment, complicates the diplomatic environment and heightens tension rather than offering clear guidance. Zakharova underscored that such statements contribute to a broader narrative that can obscure the practical steps available to protect individuals during sensitive moments in the relationship between the two nations.
Observers note that the tensions surrounding Gershkovich’s case have intensified scrutiny of how consular channels operate during disquieting incidents. The discussion centers on whether public rhetoric aligns with established procedures, and whether authorities on both sides maintain consistent, transparent communication about detention cases involving foreign nationals. Attribution: Russian Foreign Ministry press office.