Russian President Putin Reveals Dialogue with U.S. on Release of Jailed Americans, But Offers from Biden Administration Rejected
The article discusses the ongoing dialogue between Russia and the United States regarding the release of jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich, with Russia consistently rejecting offers for their release.
Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed during his year-end news conference that Moscow is engaged in dialogue with the United States regarding the release of jailed Americans, Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. While Putin acknowledged that finding a solution is challenging, he expressed hope for a resolution. The U.S. State Department confirmed that multiple offers have been made to secure the release of the detained Americans, including a recent significant offer. However, Russia has consistently rejected these offers.
It's already been reported that Russia doesn't want to do any more prisoner exchanges. I think the last was in the summer.
— Dan (@Danspiun) December 14, 2023
Thus Russian POWs make a direct appeal to Putin
"When will the exchange finally take place? When will I finally get home? Why aren't they exchanging us?"… pic.twitter.com/BgTg2IkRMQ
A corporate security executive from Michigan, Paul Whelan has been imprisoned in Russia since his arrest in December 2018 on espionage-related charges. Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was detained in March while on a reporting trip. Both men and the U.S. government vehemently deny the allegations. Russia has not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges. Gershkovich's appeal to be released from jail was denied, and he will remain in custody until at least January 30. Analysts have suggested that Moscow might be using the jailed Americans as bargaining chips, particularly given the heightened tensions between the United States and Russia following Russia's incursion into Ukraine.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that they will consider a swap for Gershkovich only after a verdict is reached in his trial. The U.S. ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, attended the court hearing and condemned the use of Gershkovich as a political pawn, emphasizing that his life has been put on hold for over eight months for a crime he did not commit. The Biden administration's offer for the release of the detained Americans was rejected by Russia, although the details of the offer remain undisclosed.
