Russia has acknowledged having "contacts" with the US regarding the case of American journalist Evan Gershkovich, who is currently imprisoned in Russia on espionage charges, BBC reports.
The announcement comes a day after the US ambassador to Russia was granted a second meeting with Gershkovich. In a reciprocal gesture, Russian embassy staff also visited Vladimir Dunaev, a Russian national detained in the US on cybercrime charges.
The possibility of a prisoner exchange is being suggested. Gershkovich, the first Western journalist detained in Russia since the Soviet era, denies the spying allegations. The Kremlin has confirmed the existence of contacts but stated that they must remain confidential.
The US has been advocating for consular access to Gershkovich, accusing Russia of disregarding international law by blocking diplomatic visits to detained Americans. Alongside Gershkovich, the US is also pushing for the release of Paul Whelan, a former Marine who has been imprisoned in Russia for over four years.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed the US's commitment to bringing home detained Americans held arbitrarily in various parts of the world.
Comments (0)