At this point I think any America that goes to Russia should expect to be a hostage. Just don’t go there. So simple.
The United States and Russia are currently engaged in discussions concerning a potential prisoner exchange, focusing on the case of imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Both sides have confirmed these talks, although a clear resolution has yet to be achieved.
The Kremlin initially announced on Tuesday that the two countries were in contact regarding the possibility of a prisoner swap. This was followed by confirmation from President Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, on Friday, acknowledging the ongoing discussions. Sullivan, however, clarified that a clear pathway to a resolution had not yet been established.
Three months after arresting Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on what his employer and government say are phony charges, Russia has reportedly discussed the possibility of a prisoner swap with the U.S. to free Gershkovich. pic.twitter.com/J2RBWEtxk1
— Forbes (@Forbes) July 5, 2023
In a briefing with reporters, Sullivan stated, “There have been discussions, but those discussions have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution.” He further emphasized the commitment and determination to bring Gershkovich home, as the reporter remains incarcerated in a high-security prison in Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also criticized the spy charges against Gershkovich during a separate briefing on Friday, denouncing them as baseless. She expressed the belief that the world recognizes the lack of evidence supporting the accusations.
“I do not want to give false hope,” Jake Sullivan said. The US confirmed there have been talks with #Russia to press for the release of @WSJ reporter #EvanGershkovich, but forewarned those discussions “have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution.” – Epoch Times
Comparatively, Gershkovich’s case carries more severe implications, as he faces up to 20 years in prison. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) alleged that he was caught in possession of “information amounting to a state secret about the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.”
In contrast, the case of Brittney Griner received significant media attention last year, but it was viewed as less severe. Griner was eventually exchanged for Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout in a widely criticized and perceived as one-sided deal. Bout was captured after an international manhunt, and he is currently serving a 25-year sentence in a federal prison in New York.
There are new signs that Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich could be involved in a prisoner swap with Russia.
Gershkovich has been accused of espionage by Russia and denies the charges. https://t.co/dZSrerqQUZ pic.twitter.com/jmYYQu2l5H
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) July 5, 2023
Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared Gershkovich’s detention as “wrongful” starting in April, allowing the US to legally treat the case as a hostage negotiation. The involvement of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs and interagency resources signifies the seriousness with which the US government is approaching this matter.
However, it remains uncertain whom Russia may request in a potential future prisoner swap. Given the history of the Bout-Griner exchange, there are concerns about Moscow’s motives and the possibility of an imbalanced agreement.
As the WSJ marks 100 days of journalist Evan Gershkovich's incarceration in Russia, @Boris_Sanchez asks Steve Hall if discussions about a potential prisoner swap are a promising sign. pic.twitter.com/N6g0Ng7nUm
— CNN News Central (@NewsCentralCNN) July 7, 2023
As negotiations continue, the focus remains on securing the release of Evan Gershkovich and resolving the ongoing diplomatic challenge between the United States and Russia.
Major Points:
- The United States and Russia are engaged in talks over a potential prisoner swap, with a focus on imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
- Both sides have confirmed the discussions, but a clear resolution has not yet been reached.
- Gershkovich is currently held in a high-security prison in Yekaterinburg on espionage charges, facing up to 20 years in prison.
- The US has declared Gershkovich’s detention as “wrongful,” allowing them to treat the case as a hostage negotiation and utilize all available means to secure his release.
- Concerns arise from the previous one-sided exchange between the US and Russia involving Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout, raising questions about the potential imbalance in future swaps.
Al Santana – Freelance writer for Whatfinger News
If you have an article to submit to us, please send it to whatfingereditor@gmail.com
Comments – Threads – Links
- US confirms talks with Russia on prisoner swap The two sides have not found a ‘clear pathway to a resolution’ so far, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said – RT News
- US confirms Russia contact over prisoner swap for reporter Evan Gershkovich – BBC
- Russian and American officials are reportedly discussing a prisoner swap that could include detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich – Post Millennial
- US, Russia Negotiating Potential Prisoner Swap For Imprisoned WSJ Reporter – ZeroHedge
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