Putin "hopes" for solution for Gershkovich and Whelan
Two US-Americans are in custody in Russia for alleged espionage. Kremlin leader Putin has now declared that he will not refuse to "return" the two. In return, Moscow is demanding the handover of Russian prisoners. Russia is interested in reaching an agreement, Putin explains - but "it's not easy".
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has confirmed his willingness to continue negotiations with Washington on the release of US citizens imprisoned in Russia for espionage. According to him, Russia wants to "reach an agreement" on the return of Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the "Wall Street Journal" ("WSJ"). Gershkovich is in Russian custody on espionage charges. The "WSJ" and the US government vehemently deny the allegations.
At his major annual press conference, Putin was asked about President Joe Biden's recent statement that the Russian government had rejected a new offer to release Gershkovich and former US Marine and Michigan City Security Commissioner Paul Whelan. Whelan is also in Russian custody.
"It's not that we have refused to return them," said the Russian president. "We want to reach an agreement, and these agreements must be acceptable to both sides and do justice to both sides. We have contacts with our American partners in this regard, and there is an ongoing dialog."
Putin added: "It is not easy. I won't go into details, but in general it seems to me that we speak a language that we both understand. I hope that we will find a solution." Moscow is demanding that the USA hand over Russian prisoners in return. Russia has repeatedly released convicted criminals in the USA in this way.
Judiciary extends pre-trial detention for Gershkovich
The Russian secret service FSB arrested Gershkovich, who was accredited as a journalist by the Russian Foreign Ministry, on March 29 while he was on a report in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. The 32-year-old reporter has been held in Moscow's Lefortovo prison ever since. Today, Thursday, a court in Moscow also confirmed Gershkovich's pre-trial detention, which was last extended until January 30.
The 53-year-old ex-US soldier Whelan was arrested in Russia in 2018 and is serving a 16-year prison sentence on a conviction for espionage, which he, his family and the United States consider to be wrong. He is being held in a penal colony in central Russia.
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Despite Putin's statement regarding a potential solution for the release of US citizens Gershkovich and Whelan, the Russian judiciary has extended Gershkovich's pre-trial detention until January 30. This development has raised concerns in the international media, particularly in the USA, regarding the freedom of the press in Russia. The Kremlin's stance on this matter has once again brought Vladimir Putin and the USA into a contentious standoff, with tensions running high due to the 'Attack on Ukraine'. The media continues to closely monitor the situation, with the USA advocating for the release of their citizens and Russia insisting on the return of its prisoners.
Source: www.ntv.de
